The Minister has established the ISMIG in July 2008 in response to industry concerns regarding falling prices, rising fuel costs and the impact of imports on the demand for Irish sourced fish. It is informed that the group, consisting of industry members appointed by the Minister and chaired by Bord Iascaigh Mhara CEO Jason Whooley, was charged with developing a shared understanding of key market issues between fishermen, processors, co-ops, retailers and their representative organisations.
If the recommendations affected it will maximise opportunities in the Irish seafood market for fishermen, processors and retailers were identified and these formed the basis of the report’s recommendations which will now be progressed throughout 2009. The report’s recommendations focus on the key areas of Awareness and Labelling of Irish Seafood and its Route to Market.
As far as the awareness and labelling is concern the group noted an apparent lack of consumer awareness of the range of Irish fish available. It also noted a lack of awareness of imported fish versus Irish caught or farmed fish arising from labelling issues. Quality Seafood Programme (QSP), Irish seafood will become more easily identified and differentiated. This will work in tandem with an initiative in partnership with industry to promote and increase awareness across the range of available yet underutilised and less recognised Irish species such as whiting, haddock, megrim, monkfish, hake, prawns, pollock, mussels, oysters and crab.
Minister Killeen stressed that despite the global economic downturn, the natural resources remain, and by actioning the recommendations of this report it can help to secure the important role the seafood sector plays in our economy. BIM CEO Jason Whooley said that Group’s analysis clearly highlights that consumers are not aware of the vast range of Irish seafood available and what is required now is a concerted effort across the sector to highlight this indigenous resource, encourage consumers to be open minded in their purchase and reassure them that purchasing Irish seafood can help secure and increase Irish jobs.
