KENMARE SEAFOOD COMPANY COLLECTS NATIONAL AWARD

KUSH Seafarms, Kenmare claimed the ‘Aquaculture Enterprise of the Year Award’ at the inaugural BIM National Seafood Awards that was held at the Clayton Hotel, Ballsbridge last Thursday. The ceremony was held as a means of celebrating Ireland’s €1 billion Seafood Sector which is responsible for employing 11,000 people nationwide.

In all, 38 finalists from across the seafood industry were shortlisted and the winners were selected because of their outstanding contributions in the areas of Skills, Sustainability, Innovation and Competitiveness.

A family run business establishment in June of 1987, Kush Seafarms was Ireland’s first organic rope mussels producer and now specializes in the export of shellfish globally with focus on Europe. Initially, the lack of a functioning licensing system meant that Kush struggled to find growth in the sector; dependency on the commodity outlets for its products was a stumbling block. In 2009, a new strategy based on innovation, value-added and partnerships was devised and in June of the same year, Kush became the first Irish company to secure organic certification.

The advancement continued in 2010, when while working with Carr Shellfish Ireland, they launched an organic vacuum pack mussel at Biofach - the world’s leading trade fair for organic food. Contracts with companies in Switzerland and France followed and they are currently working on the US market.

Addressing the rationale behind the awards; BIM’s CEO, Tara McCarthy s outlined that the BIM National Seafood Awards provide us with the opportunity to celebrate the positive contribution.

Photo by Paul Sherwood Kush Seafarms Ltd, Kenmare, Co. Kerry is the winner of the ‘Aquaculture Enterprise of the Year Award’. Pictured is John Harrington of Kush being congratulated by Michael Creed, T.D., Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Tara McCarthy, CEO,...