Multiple Galway business that take part in every stage of the seafood industry from net to plate have made the shortlist for the 2018 National Seafood Awards.
The Bord Iascaigh Mhara annual National Seafood Awards celebrate those members of the industry that push Irish seafood forward through delivering new products and services, social and technological innovation, and environmental stewardship.
Four local businesses are in the running out of 33 finalists competing in 11 categories.
Both the MFV Ocean Breeze and Galway Bay Inshore Fishermen’s Association (GBIFA) are finalists for the Best in Fishing Innovation Award.
Connemara Food Ventures is competing for Best in Processing Innovation and Galway Bay Seafoods is shortlisted for Best Seafood Retailer of the year.
Finally alway Bay Inshore Fishermen’s Association picked up a second nomination for Best in Sustainable Fishing.
Winners from each of the categories these businesses are competing in will be chosen by a panel of ten judges pulling expertise from all walks; business consultants, energy advisors, academics, and seafood development managers.
The full shortlist of nominees is as follows:
Innovation
Best in Fishing Innovation
- MFV Sean Og, Co. Dublin
- MFV Ocean Breeze, Co. Galway
- Galway Bay Inshore Fishermen’s Association (GBIFA), Co. Galway
Best in Aquaculture Innovation
- Moyasta Oysters Ltd., Co. Clare
- Wild Atlantic Shellfish Ltd., Co. Sligo
- Marine Harvest Ireland, Co. Donegal
Best in Processing Innovation
- Connemara Food Ventures, Co. Galway
- The Fresh Fish Deli, Co. Cork
- Ocean Veg Ireland Ltd., Co. Antrim
Sustainability
Best in Sustainable Fishing
- MFV Emma Lou T450, Co. Kerry
- Galway Bay Inshore Fishermen’s Association, Co. Galway
- Tralee Oyster Fisheries Society Ltd., Co. Kerry
Best in Sustainable Aquaculture
- Marine Harvest Ireland, Co. Donegal
- Mulroy Bay Mussels Ltd., Co. Donegal
- Sliogeisc Na Rossan T/A Irish Premium Oysters, Co. Donegal
Best in Sustainable Processing
- Morgans Fine Fish, Co. Louth
- Proiseail (An Clochan Liath) Teo T/A Irish Fish Canners, Co. Donegal
- Connemara Seafoods, Co. Mayo
Competitiveness
Fishing Enterprise of the Year
- McBride Fishing Company Ltd., Co. Donegal
- Damien Turner Fisheries Ltd., Co. Cork
- The Fish Box/Flannery’s Seafood Bar, Co. Kerry
Aquaculture Enterprise of the Year
- Marine Harvest Ireland, Co. Donegal
- Mulroy Bay Mussels Ltd., Co. Donegal
- Belle Isle Seafoods Ltd., Co. Donegal
Processing Enterprise of the Year
- Keohane Seafoods ltd., Co. Cork
- Oceanpath Dunn’s of Dublin, Co. Dublin
- Quinlan’s Seafood/Kerry Fish UC, Co. Kerry
Best Seafood Retailer of the Year
- Dunnes Stores Cornelscourt, Co. Dublin
- Dunnes Stores Swords, Co. Dublin
- Garveys Supervalu Corbally, Co. Limerick
Best Seafood Retailer of the Year– Independent
- The Fish Market, Co. Westmeath
- The Good Fish Company, Co. Cork
- Galway Bay Seafoods Ltd., Co. Galway
And while no nominees have been announced yet, a Student of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award will each be awarded on the night.
The BIM National Seafood Awards will take place at Dublin’s Christ Church Cathedral on November 27.
Beyond the awards ceremony the night will also feature guest speaker Food historian MáirtÃn Mac Con Iomaire to talk about the history of Ireland’s maritime cuisine traditions and their importance to our culture.
From songs and stories of Celtic mythology, of Fionn Mac Cumhaill and the Salmon of Knowledge, right through to he cockles and mussels carted by fishmonger Molly Malone, the sea and the relationship we have with her has always been an important part of the Irish psyche.
These awards reinforce that connection by celebrating those that bring the bounty of the ocean to our dinner plates.
