FISHING INDUSTRY:Two Irish seafood companies will launch a new brand specifically aimed at the Chinese market today.

The Atlantic Gold brand is a joint project between Atlanfish and Rockabill Shellfish and will include a range of shellfish such as prawns, crab, lobster, razor clams and scallops, as well as whitefish products.

It will initially be available to the food service sector but will later be extended to retail.

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the seafood development agency, said the Irish seafood sector was increasingly focusing on the Chinese market. Irish seafood exports to China were €2.9 million last year, but between January and July this year, they totalled €5.3 million.

BIM business development and innovation manager Donal Buckley said companies needed to pool their resources in order to reduce duplication costs and boost profitability.

“The joint venture between Atlanfish and Rockabill is an excellent example of the way forward for our sector,” he said. BIM said the two companies employed 170 people between them and accounted for 75 per cent of the total catch of Irish prawns.