Ms Caroline Bocquel:

Cathaoirleach and members of the committee, thank you for the invitation to speak today about innovation and development within Ireland’s aquaculture sector. Aquaculture is a vital part of Ireland’s blue economy. It sustains coastal and rural communities, supports local enterprise and contributes to our national reputation for producing safe, sustainable and high-quality seafood.

In 2024, the industry produced almost 38,500 tonnes of farmed seafood worth €210 million, an increase of 8% on the previous year. It supported 1,835 direct jobs and contributed €73 million in gross value added to the Irish economy. These figures reflect both the strength of and the strain within the sector. Irish aquaculture operates in some of Europe’s cleanest waters and is underpinned by world-class environmental standards. However, it faces real challenges, including reliance on a few key export markets, rising input costs, raw material shortages, a complex licensing system, labour constraints and the pressures of climate and biodiversity change.

BIM’s mission is to help the Irish seafood sector grow in value sustainably and across the whole supply chain. Our aquaculture work programme aligns fully with the National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development 2030, in respect of which BIM is the lead agency on 32 of the 56 actions. Our approach centres on four interconnected themes, namely market-led growth, talent and capability, resilient and sustainable supply and innovation with cost-competitiveness. Together, these themes provide a joined-up framework to build a stronger, smarter and more sustainable aquaculture sector in Ireland. Our detailed work programme may be found on BIM’s website.

Ireland’s aquaculture has earned a global reputation for quality and sustainability, but it must capture greater value and diversify its markets.

Over 70% of our production is exported, mainly to France, the Netherlands and the UK, leaving producers exposed to market volatility. To address this, BIM, working with Bord Bia, is investing in branding, certification and storytelling that build consumer trust and highlight the provenance of Irish seafood. Programmes such as seafood certification, Taste the Atlantic and the seafood assurance pathway help producers access premium markets by meeting international standards and connecting aquaculture with tourism, gastronomy, and the wider Irish food brand. Our goal is to shift the conversation from commodity production to premium value creation, anchored in sustainability, traceability and local identity.

A resilient sector depends on its people. Many Irish farms are family run, with an ageing workforce and limited formal training routes. Attracting new entrants and building modern management skills are essential. Through BIM’s human capacity development plan and the proposed national aquaculture apprenticeship, we are building clear career pathways into the industry. The aquaculture remote classroom, ARC, brings aquaculture into schools and communities, reaching over 6,000 students annually and sparking interest among the next generation. Upskilling initiatives for producers in areas like digital tools, business management and sustainability will strengthen the sector’s long-term capability and succession planning. The Irish Oyster Packers Group, initiated and co-ordinated by BIM, has harnessed synergies between oyster growers and has given rise to the formation of the Next Generation Oyster Farmers Group, which has been pivotal in adopting new technologies and market access for Irish-branded oysters.

Sustainability and resilience are the foundations of Ireland’s aquaculture future. The sector faces growing biological and environmental pressures, including disease risk, seed shortages and the impacts of climate change. Our shellfish survey programme provides critical data on mussel and oyster stocks, seed settlement and husbandry practices to support more predictable and sustainable production. Our finfish challenge programme trials innovative technologies, including AI-driven fish welfare monitoring, hybrid energy systems and functional feeds that reduce antibiotic use. Complementary programmes on biodiversity, invasive species and freshwater quality are helping farmers adapt to a changing environment and reduce their carbon footprint. Through these initiatives, we are supporting Ireland’s leadership in sustainable seafood production and ensuring that the sector’s growth is environmentally responsible and scientifically grounded.

Ireland will never compete on volume with global producers, but we can lead on innovation, efficiency and quality. High input costs and small farm scale demand smarter, technology-driven solutions. The aquaculture accelerator programme, supported by the Blue Revolution Fund and the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, is creating a €15 million investment platform for start-ups and SMEs developing aquatech solutions from precision feeding and automation to renewable energy and environmental monitoring. Our co-ordinated local management scheme, CLAMS, and special unified marking scheme, SUMS, initiatives continue to improve local co-ordination, safety and environmental management within aquaculture areas, strengthening the link between innovation and community. These programmes together position Ireland as an emerging European hub for aquaculture innovation through attracting investment, fostering collaboration and de-risking technology adoption for small producers.

The future of Irish aquaculture depends on collaboration between producers, researchers, policymakers and communities. BIM’s work programme is not about working in isolation; it is about partnership, combining local knowledge with national strategy and global best practice. By investing in people, data and innovation, Ireland can build an aquaculture sector that is competitive, climate resilient and community rooted, one that delivers real economic opportunity while protecting the marine environment that sustains it.