Irish Fisheries Minister Timmy Dooley with seafood professionals and fishmongers at the launch of the new schools programme.
Photo: BIM
Ireland’s seafood development agency Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) has launched a new schools programme introducing students to the seafood value chain, while the organisation has also featured its aquaculture education initiative, the Aquaculture Remote Classroom, at youth events.
The new schools programme covers seafood harvesting and farming, supply and preparation, with experienced fishmongers visiting schools to give structured modules directly to students, sharing practical knowledge about the seafood supply chain and product preparation.
With backing from the Irish government and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, the initiative forms part of the BIM Seafood Academy, a national programme to support development of Ireland’s independent seafood retail and foodservice sectors, launched last year.
Launching the schools programme last month, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Timmy Dooley said the initiative is “about education, connection and skills.”
“That’s where the real learning starts. By bringing fishmongers into schools, we’re helping students understand where seafood comes from, how the supply chain works, and how it can be prepared and enjoyed as part of a healthy diet. These actions are supporting the long-term sustainable development of our seafood industry,” he added.
BIM said that the programme was piloted in four schools last year and, following a positive response, it plans a wider roll-out from March 2026 onwards.
BIM has also recently been promoting another education initiative, focused on Ireland's aquaculture sector. On 11 March, Ireland’s President Catherine Connolly visited the organisation’s Aquaculture Remote Classroom (ARC) during a youth event dedicated to the blue bioeconomy at Atlantic Technological University’s campus in Killybegs, County Donegal.
The ARC programme introduces students to Irish aquaculture and the range of careers associated with seafood production. It includes four online lessons, regular live webinars for schools, and a variety of educational materials, all offered to schools at no cost.
During the visit, BIM’s interim CEO Richard Donnelly highlighted the organisation’s work in support of the Irish seafood industry, and emphasised the importance of unlocking value from sidestreams, stating, “We are focused on supporting Irish seafood companies to innovate, embrace new technologies, and unlock greater value from our marine resources.”
“Our goal is to use as close to 100% of the seafood we catch or produce as possible. By doing this, we will enable seafood businesses nationwide to develop new products, processes, and services, moving towards a more circular and sustainable model,” he explained.
