Irish aquaculture has been given a boost with a two week specialist programme aimed at supporting start-ups.
The Innovation Workshop took place at the Guinness Enterprise Centre in Dublin and offers support such as exposure to capital, mentoring and marketing expertise. The workshop was run by Hatch and supported by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.
Jim O’Toole, chief executive of BIM, met founders of some of the businesses at the workshop. “BIM is constantly looking at how best to balance the demands being placed on the sector by a growing population and growing appetite for seafood in a way that’s sustainable for future generations," he said.
The 13 Irish-based start-ups and projects are diverse; areas of focus include aquaculture analytics; use of pulsed light for underwater disinfection and the integrated use of bogland for trout production.
Participants at the workshop have been learning how to develop business plans and how to manage their business from Irish and international mentors. The intensive programme, aimed at strengthening innovation in aquaculture in Ireland has included mentors from international aquaculture companies including Einar Wathne, ex global chief exectuive of Cargill Aqua Nutrition and chairperson of NCE Seafood Cluster in Bergen and Hatch Advisor; Alex Marsh from Cargill Aqua Nutrition and Jason Cleaversmith, general manager of Akva Scotland Group, Scotland.
