Irish seafood agency prepares new investment drive in processing and coastal communities

The Irish seafood industry is set for a renewed round of public investment as seafood development agency Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) confirms the reopening of two schemes targeting processing companies and coastal communities.

BIM's Seafood Processing Capital Investment Scheme is intended to help processors upgrade facilities, develop new products and improve production efficiency. It also aims to support better use of raw materials and reduce both energy consumption and carbon emissions. Applications are accepted from 10 February to 4 June 2026, with the agency to circulate further details to processing businesses early next year.

A second initiative, the FLAG Coastal Communities Development Scheme, has reopened with a budget of €15 million for 2025 to 2029. The competitive fund, managed to seven Fisheries Local Action Groups, is designed to promote a resilient blue economy in coastal, island and inland areas, with a specific focus on communities that depend on fishing and aquaculture. Over recent weeks, workshops have taken place across the seven FLAG regions to advise applicants on eligibility rules and the application process, which closes on 29 January.

Richard Donnelly, BIM’s interim chief executive, said the scheme was already making a visible difference in the areas it supports. “Since its launch earlier this year, more than 100 projects have already received funding across the seven FLAG regions."

"The local expertise of each of the FLAG board members is essential to the scheme’s continued success to support and sustain our coastal communities for generations to come,” he added.

As previously reported by WeAreAquaculture, BIM also recently announced it was opening a national Seafood Innovation Programme with the aim of boosting new product development within the Irish seafood industry, with the closing date of 10 December.

Further information and application details for all the funding schemes and development programmes are available on BIM’s website.