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BIM is Ireland’s seafood development agency, dedicated to supporting a sustainable, innovative and globally competitive seafood sector.

We provide technical expertise, business support funding and training to help businesses adapt and thrive in changing market conditions. Through collaboration, innovation and a strong focus on sustainability, we work to maximise the value of Ireland’s seafood resources while promoting responsible environmental practice.

Who we are?

BIM is the Irish State agency responsible for developing Ireland’s seafood industry.

  • Established in 1952 under the Irish Sea Fisheries Act
  • Operates under the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine  
  • Expertise across fisheries, aquaculture, processing and market development
  • Focused on sustainability, innovation and economic growth

Who we service?

We support stakeholders across Ireland’s seafood value chain, including: 

  • Seafood producers and processors
  • Fishing vessel owners and the fishing community
  • Aquaculture operators and businesses
  • People working in and new entrants to the seafood sector

What we do?

BIM drives the development of Ireland’s seafood industry through technical services, training, business support and funding. Our goal is to enhance competitiveness, sustainability and market success. We support the sustainable development of Ireland’s seafood industry, enhancing its economic value, environmental responsibility and global competitiveness.  We work closely with stakeholders across fishing, aquaculture and processing to build resilient businesses, promote innovation, and ensure the responsible use of marine resources

  • Manage funding programmes and grants for industry growth
  • Provide training and technical expertise
  • Support sustainable fishing and aquaculture practices  
  • Deliver business planning, innovation and market insights

At a glance

Focus

Our focus is to support the sustainable development of Ireland’s seafood industry — enhancing its economic value, environmental responsibility, and global competitiveness. We work closely with stakeholders across fishing, aquaculture, and processing to build resilient businesses, promote innovation, and ensure the responsible use of marine resources.

Sectors

BIM serves the Irish seafood sector, supporting businesses involved in:

  • Commercial fishing (inshore and offshore)
  • Aquaculture  
  • Seafood processing and value-added production
Network

BIM has a national presence , with regional development officers and technical experts based around the Irish coast to support local industry needs. 

  • Head office: Crofton Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
  • Regional offices and training centres in counties Cork, Galway, Donegal, and Wexford
  • Nationwide network serving all coastal communities
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17 supports based on your selections

Access funding for fisheries, aquaculture, and the seafood sector

Small Scale Coastal Fisheries Scheme

This scheme is designed to be a ‘one stop shop’ for Small Scale Coastal Fishers, allowing both onshore and onboard investments by Small scale coastal fishing (SSCF) vessel owners, with the following objectives: Selective Fishing; Energy Efficiency; Hygiene, Health and Safety, Quality, Traceability. 

Owners of SSCF fishing vessels:

  • Must be registered on the Irish Fleet Register at the time of grant application, and;
  • Who must have been actively fishing in the two calendar years preceding the year of submission of the application:
  • For vessels less than 10m length overall (LOA) this will be validated by ensuring sales notes to the value of at least €1,000 have been registered with the SFPA in each of the two preceding calendar years.
  • For vessels of 10m LOA or greater, this will be validated by ensuring log books registered with the SFPA show at least 60 days at sea in each of the two preceding calendar years.

Grants

Develop skills for careers in the Irish seafood industry

Fisheries, Aquaculture and Seafood Processing Training

Seafood Training Programmes and workshops are available across all sectors of the Irish Seafood Industry.

You may be eligible if:

  • You are a novice entrant exploring a new career path in the fishing, aquaculture or retail and processing sector.
  • You are an existing member of the seafood industry seeking skills development to add value at an individual professional level and to the overall seafood business. 

Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.  
 

Education & Training

Access funding to support aquaculture skills and training

Aquaculture Funding

The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021-2027 is the primary funding programme for the seafood sector and is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the EU.

You may be eligible if:

  • A new entrant to the Irish seafood sector or,
  • Are currently employed in the sector and wish to upskill

Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions. 

 

Grants

Funding to invest in seafood processing

Seafood Processing Funding

The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021-2027 is the primary funding programme for the seafood sector. It is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the EU

You may be eligible if:

  • You are an applicant who is both an onshore processing SME and have an SFPA approval number with activity code FFPP (Fresh Fishing Products Plant) or PP (Processing Plant)  

Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.  
 

Grants

Access funding for fisheries, aquaculture, and the seafood sector

Marine Tourism Safety Scheme

This scheme is intended to further improve the overall safety standards onboard Irish marine tourism vessels.

Owners of licensed marine tourism vessels less than or equal to 15 meters in registered length overall which operates in Irish coastal waters.

Grants

Get insights into the Irish seafood industry

Irish Seafood Industry Insights

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) provides insights on a range of topics and sectors in the seafood industry including fishing and aquaculture.

You may be eligible if:

  • You are a business interested in the seafood industry.

Markets & Export

Access funding for fisheries, aquaculture, and the seafood sector

Inshore Fleet Economic Assessment Scheme

This BIM Service Project, under the EMFAF Inshore Fisheries Scheme, aims to gather data regarding the inshore fleet. The data collected through this project, along with the previous 2023 inshore census, will be used to shape further supports for the sector into the future.

Owners of fishing vessels which are registered on the Irish Register of Fishing Boats at the time of the application for support; Are less than 18m length overall (LOA); and have evidence of fishing activity registered with the SFPA for at least a total of 60 days during the two calendar years preceding the date of the application (this is evidenced through logbook data for vessels of 10m LOA or greater, and through sales notes of at least €1,000 per annum for vessels less than 10m LOA).

Applicants must ensure that logbooks/sales notes are registered with the SFPA. Neither BIM nor the SFPA can be held accountable for data not submitted. Note that invoices will not be accepted as proof of fishing activity.  

Operations & Productivity

Access funding for fisheries, aquaculture, and the seafood sector

Sustainable Fisheries Scheme

This scheme is designed for owners of non-Small Scale Coastal Fishers (SSCF) vessels, allowing onboard investments, with the following objectives:

  • Improve quality
  • Improve catch handling
  • Enhance traceability
  • Improve hygiene, health and safety
  • Improve energy efficiency

Owners of non-SSCF fishing vessels:

  • Which must be registered on the Irish Register of Fishing Boats at the time of grant application, and;
  • who must have been actively fishing in the two calendar years preceding the year of submission of the application:
  • For vessels less than 10m length overall (LOA) this will be validated by ensuring sales notes to the value of at least €1,000 have been registered with the SFPA in each of the two preceding calendar years.
  • For vessels of 10m LOA or greater, this will be validated by ensuring log books registered with the SFPA show at least 60 days at sea in each of the two preceding calendar years.

Grants

Access funding for fisheries, aquaculture, and the seafood sector

Young Fisher Scheme

This scheme aims to help young fishers in Ireland access and buy their first fishing vessel. It offers grant support of up to 40%, capped at €250,000, and is designed to make the entry into vessel ownership more feasible. The scheme is part of efforts to renew the fishing workforce and ensure sustained participation of younger cohorts in Ireland’s seafood industry.

This scheme is open to individuals, or legal entities wholly owned by one or more individuals: Who are each under 40 years of age at the time of application. Who each has worked for at least 5 years as a fisher and is fully qualified to operate the vessel being purchased. Who is tax resident in Ireland, and has the right to live in Ireland.

Grants

Access funding for fisheries, aquaculture, and the seafood sector

Sustainable Aquaculture Scheme

Applications are invited for projects with any of the following objectives:

  • Productive investments for sustainable aquaculture;
  • Development of product innovation (including Integrated Multi-trophic Aquaculture, seaweeds and new species);
  • Investment in reduction of energy use and energy efficiency;
  • Investment in renewable energy systems;
  • Investments in safety equipment;
  • Investment in animal health and welfare;
  • Food quality and hygiene safety.

This scheme will support aquaculture operators who have a statutory consent to engage in aquaculture and any necessary consent under the Foreshore Acts, and who are in compliance with the terms and conditions of those consents.

However, applications in respect of sites located in marine Special Areas of Conservation, designated in accordance with the European Union Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC)(as amended), and/or Special Protection Areas, designated in accordance with EU Birds Directive (2009/147/EC), that are awaiting a determination of an aquaculture licence application/renewal made under Section 10 of Fisheries Amendment Act 1997, will not be eligible under this scheme.

Grants

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Collaborating with you is essential for creating a dynamic future for businesses in Ireland.

“

Sarah

Innovate Solutions Project Manager
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