New Irish Sea Food Company formed to grow sales to Middle East

Seasource, the Northern Irish fishermen's co-operative, has joined forces with a business in Abu Dhabi to supply fresh fish and seafood to the United Arab Emirates.

The Irish Sea Food Company has been established by Seasource, which is based in Kilkeel, county Down and is a co-operative representing fishermen in the area, and Pure UAE, based in Abu Dhabi with contacts throughout the Middle East and has a successful ecommerce operation.

The Seasource catch will feature an new on-line catalogue as well as being distributed to supermarkets. Orders will be processed and shipped from Kilkeel to guarantee fresh and delicious products delivered with 48 hours.

Alan McCulla, Seasource chief executive, commenting on the new business venture, says it will be the first time fresh fish and seafood from Northern Ireland will be readily available to customers especially in the Emirates.

Projected sales are expected to exceed £1.5 million per annum within the next three years.

"The new venture requires high grade logistical capacity and fast turnaround capability.

"These are requirements which we have perfected in recent years thanks to our growing export business, which includes Ireland, Great Britain, France, Spain and Italy.

"We have worked closely with our new business partners to create the Irish Sea Food Company and are delighted to announce this new venture. Kilkeel operations will benefit from this as they already have from expansion, including the new partnership with international fishing company Hooktone Group."

Seasource and other fishing bodies in Kilkeel have been pressing for an expansion of the outer harbour, Northern Ireland's biggest, to facilitate landing of herrings and mackerel in particular. The port is a major source of prawns and scallops.

The partnership in the Middle East has been brokered by Invest Northern Ireland.