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Seafood Innovation Conference

Written by Cian MacSweeny
Sunday, 29 June 2008
Last Thursday Minister Tony Killeen opened a major conference organised by Bórd Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) - BIM/Fish Ireland 2008 Conference on Innovation and Sustainability in the Seafood Industry. Minister Killeen also met with the Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF) to talk further on the immediate issues that the Irish fishing fleet face and the next steps which will take place at European level to deal with the immediate challenges for the Irish industry. National and international speakers were present at the conference and by all accounts their speeches were very informative on the topics of driving innovation and engineering sustainability in the Irish Seafood Industry. The Irish Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food said: “I believe that the current very difficult situation the industry is facing makes it even more critical to identify the key steps necessary to lift the industry out of its vulnerable position where it is dependent on inflexible commodity prices and thus unable to pass on its full costs. It is of the utmost importance that we take steps and work together to maximise the value and in particular the prices fishermen get at the quayside. The Cawley Strategy sets out the road-map and today's conference served to both review progress and identify opportunities in the market for both wild and farmed fish.” Aquaculture development was also focused on at the conference and Minister Killeen identified this sector as offering potential for significant growth. Mr. Killeen expressed his commitment to addressing the current problems so that the full potential of aquaculture can be realised. Minister Killeen also made note of the work he is doing with Commissioner Borg and his colleagues in the Council of Ministers to reach an agreement for an EU funded package of emergency measures for fishermen. The Minister said, “I wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge the patience and very reasonable attitude of fishermen since our meeting in Athlone on June 13th I fully recognise that fishermen are impatient at delays in finding solutions to the current crises. I wish to assure fishermen and the FIF that Minister Smith and I understand fully their situation and will continue to work with the utmost urgency to secure an EU funded package of measures as early as possible. We will continue to press the Commission to deliver at the Fisheries Council on 15 July.” He was pleased with the response of the EU Fisheries Commissioner Borg, who has agreed to come back to the next Council meeting on 15th July with definitive proposals, ahead of which the Minister said he hoped further progress could be made. The Minister concluded saying that he was happy with the events of last Tuesdays meeting.

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