Fresh catch of ideas as Donegal woman nets top seafood qualification
Atlanfish worker among eight seafood professionals to complete prestigious BIM programme
A Donegal seafood professional has completed the inaugural BIM Seafood Innovation Programme, earning an internationally recognised certification from one of Europe’s leading business schools.
Yvonne McCarron, of Atlanfish in Carndonagh, was among eight seafood professionals who successfully completed the 2026 programme.
The BIM Seafood Innovation Programme is designed to strengthen innovation and new product development capabilities across Ireland’s seafood sector. It combines practical learning, industry insights and tailored business support to help participants bring new ideas to market and embed innovation as a strategic function within their organisations.
Richard Donnelly, CEO of BIM, congratulated the Inishowen-based seafood professional on her achievement.
“I want to congratulate Yvonne on successfully completing the inaugural BIM Seafood Innovation Programme,” Mr Donnelly said.
“Through BIM’s partnership with Rotterdam School of Management, she gained access to world-class innovation expertise and practical tools that they can immediately apply within her business.”
“The awarding of the RSM Executive Education’s Innovation Management programme demonstrates her commitment and dedication to the Seafood Innovation Programme over the last nine months. I would also like to thank Atlanfish and The Garvin Seafood Company for supporting her participation in this year’s programme.”
“The knowledge and insights she has gained mean she is well-placed to further embed innovation within her organisation, helping to drive value creation, growth and competitiveness.”
A key element of the programme is its executive education component, delivered in partnership with Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University.
Through a course tailored specifically to the seafood industry, participants developed practical innovation management skills and earned the internationally recognised certification.
The course covers innovation strategy, technology management, organisational transformation, open and collaborative innovation, and design thinking.
It equips seafood professionals to identify new opportunities, develop customer-focused solutions, build innovation cultures and create strategies that support sustainable, long-term business growth.
The other participants in the 2026 programme were Graham Goff, Atlantis of Kilmore Quay; Hugh O’Malley, Achill Oysters; Áine Lynch, Oceanpath; Séamas De Roiste, Bantry Bay Premium Seafoods; and Saroj Kapadne and Emer Kelly, Keohane Seafoods.