Electronic fish auctions, turbot farming, seaweed cultivation and the latest developments in fish and shellfish processing - that's a flavour of Irish technology on show at a pan-European business forum in Cork early next week.
More than 40 Irish-based companies in the seafood, seaweed and marine services sector have signed up to take part in the forum, which aims to develop links with more than 100 companies from Europe, Canada, the United States and China. The domestic firms have a combined export value of €96 million (£75.6 million) and employ 1,200 full-time and 500 part-time staff.
The "match-making" concept has been supported by the EU's Pesca programme, which has financed diversification within the marine sector over the past five years. The event is being hosted by Bord Iascaigh Mhara and comes just a fortnight before the national biennial show, Fish Ireland 2000, which opens in Killybegs, Co Donegal, on July 6th.
The 350 delegates will be welcomed to Cork on Monday by the Minister of State for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Hugh Byrne, and will be addressed by Dr Steffen Smidt, director-general, fisheries, at the European Commission. The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Fahey, will attend the official dinner on Monday night.
Europe is the largest export market for Irish seafood, representing more than £200 million - or about 76 per cent of total Irish seafood exports. Although the Republic has just 2.2 per cent of the EU's land area, it has 13 per cent of the community's maritime territory.
In spite of the small size of the total allowable catch allocated to this State, the sector has developed considerably over the past 25 years. There has been a 17 per cent increase in fish landings in the past three years alone, with a 28 per cent increase in euro value. Aquaculture output has increased by 74 per cent since 1997 and total seafood exports are up 22 per cent - worth an extra 62 per cent in euro value.
Some 16,000 people are employed directly, but spin-off effects raise total employment to about 25,000, according to BIM, which emphasises that nearly 60,000 people in coastal areas rely on the industry for a livelihood.
Targets set under the EU Fisheries Operational Programme aim to increase exports to 310,000 tonnes by 2006, at a projected value of €466 million.
Unexploited new species, which are not yet subject to quota, will be a feature of this increased output. More than 30 vessels purchased under the Government's whitefish renewal scheme have been grant-aided by EU and State funds on this basis.
Technological advance on deck and in the wheelhouse has now been matched by a new development ashore, which should result in the skipper/owner yielding a fair return for effort.
This particular technological advance is the electronic fish auction, which will be represented in Cork and Killybegs by Pan European Fish Auctions (Pefa.com). Already up and running in several parts of Europe, it is due to be introduced in Northern Ireland next month. The technology maintains the "auction clock" at the heart of the system and is a development of electronic flower auctions initiated in the Netherlands. It allows buyers to buy fish "online" at auctions across Europe, while producers and their agents can reach buyers and processors in many countries.
The company's Irish agent, Mr Niall Duffy, is a Co Cork-based former fisherman and photographer with more than 15 years' experience in the marine sector. He was appointed earlier this year by Pefa.com headquarters in Brussels, and has been in contact with fish buyers, producers and co-operatives the length and breadth of the island over the past three months. He knows well how fishermen can be taken advantage of when landings are high and believes the online system is very transparent.
"Fishermen need a system that returns a fair price, based on quality and availability," Mr Duffy says. "Producers and buyers alike need a flexible system to co-ordinate supply and demand for a range of fish products and species - from hake to orange roughy, depending on taste!"
Pefa.com raised €4.9 million in venture capital financing, with Credit Suisse co-ordinating the backing. The Irish interest is part of its expansion plan in the European market; it aims to develop myriad activities for the entire fishing industry. Fish farmers are also being encouraged to take advantage of the "fish exchange", and the technology is billed as "user friendly" for both buyers and sellers.
The system's introduction north of the Border followed detailed negotiations with Halster Fish Sales, involved in marketing landings in Ardglass, Portavogie and Kilkeel, all in Co Down. Initially, about 30 people will be employed in the venture. Down south, the Co Cork based buyer, Mr Mel Bendon, is actively evaluating the system; while one highly successful co-op in the same area is also said to be very enthusiastic.
The Northern Irish fish processor and supplier, C&N Chambers, is one of the 43 listed participants at Pesca Partenariat. Employing 10 people and with a total turnover of €2 million last year, it processes and markets fresh and frozen king scallops and langoustine, vacuum-packed cooked crab and crab claws and all types of whitefish. It is seeking to expand its marketing outlets in Europe.
Distribution and technology transfer are on the wish list for many shellfish and finfish farming companies involved in the Cork forum. Established companies such as Dunn's Seafare, Ireland's oldest fish processing firm, Fastnet Mussels, which employs 22 in west Cork, and new names like Hiport Ltd, a consolidation of several Pacific oyster companies in Clew Bay, Co Mayo, are hoping to extend sales in Europe. Community-based ventures, like the South Wexford Lobster Coop, aim to do likewise, and also provide consultancy services.
Among several seaweed interests is the semi-state, Arramara Teo, which was established back in 1947 and has been producing milled weed for sale in the alginate business. It aims to identify partners to develop a new product range - specifically the development of applications for seaweed meal in Mediterranean fruit and vegetable cultivation. The State's only commercially-run turbot farm, Turbard Iartha Chonamara Teo, wants to speak to retailers with distribution outlets in France, Germany and Italy, and is also interested in talking to venture capitalists.
Pesca Partenariat, the Pesca Marine Business Forum, opens at 10.30 a.m. on Monday in the Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork, and continues until Tuesday evening.
