Pictured (left to right): Paschal Hayes, Executive Chairperson, SFPA; John Nolan, CEO, Castletownbere Fishermen’s Co-Op and Bernard O’Donovan, National Director Trade Compliance, SFPA.
Photo: SPFA.
Ireland's Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has officially launched its "Protecting Seafood Trade 2023" report, highlighting the organization's critical role in safeguarding the integrity and international trade of Irish seafood, valued at €550 million in 2023.
Last year, the SFPA certified 3,802 consignments of seafood, totalling 49,782 tonnes, across 23 species for export from 44 food businesses to 41 countries outside the European Union. This was a significant reduction from 78,171 tonnes in 2022, marking what the SFPA referred to as "a challenging year for Ireland's seafood sector".
Notably, three countries accounted for over half (59.6%) of Irish seafood exports to non-EU markets: Nigeria (35.3%), China (13.9%), and Ivory Coast (10.4%). The majority (90.7%) of the exported seafood consisted of pelagic species such as Blue Whiting, Mackerel, and Horse Mackerel, the SFPA said.
“As a food-exporting nation, Ireland places significant emphasis on being a supplier of safe, traceable, and sustainably produced seafood. The SFPA’s work ensures the integrity of our seafood, providing crucial reassurance to international customers and consumers," said Paschal Hayes, Executive Chairperson of the SFPA, in a press release.
Hayes also addressed the ongoing threat posed by illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, stating that it jeopardizes the sustainability of global fisheries, including those relied on by Irish coastal communities. He reaffirmed the SFPA’s commitment to using all available regulatory tools to detect and prevent IUU fishing activities.
"Regulation, including health certification, also underpins confidence in the safety of Irish seafood products, providing vital reassurance to retailers, hospitality businesses and consumers at home and abroad. Retaining Ireland’s growing reputation for producing superior seafood is essential and the integrity of the supply chain is vital in this regard," Hayes added.
In 2023, the SFPA continued to extend its regulatory functions, including seafood safety controls, health certification, and fisheries conservation measures. These efforts ensure compliance with EU regulations and bolster confidence in the quality of Irish seafood for both domestic and international markets, the organization said.
The report's launch took place in the port town of Castletownbere, County Cork, with attendees including Paschal Hayes, John Nolan (CEO of Castletownbere Fishermen’s Co-op), and Bernard O’Donovan (National Director of Trade Compliance at the SFPA).
The full Protecting Seafood Trade 2023 report is available on the SFPA website.
