Seafood exports fell by 10.2 per cent to €384 million in 2003 but the value of seafood sales on the domestic market increased marginally by 3.3 per cent to €281 million, according to BIM, the Irish Sea Fisheries Board.

It said that while exports were down there had been a record level of investment in the industry last year with grant-aided investment from BIM and the EU amounting to €24.3 million which was enhanced by a further €60 million investment in the pelagic sector.

According to BIM's annual report, Irish seafood companies faced more competitive and challenging international markets last year.

The EU markets accounted for more than 75 per cent of total Irish exports but faced more intense competition from third country imports of farmed salmon, herring and whitefish. The EU market was also adversely affected by the depreciation of the dollar.

Shellfish exports once again outperformed other sectors and grew by 9.5 per cent to reach €132 million in 2003. Within the EU, France remains the premier market for Irish seafood with sales valued at €91 million.

Spain is Ireland's second biggest market with sales of €58 million and is followed by the UK where sales amounted to €54 million. Outside of the EU, Japan and South Korea were the most important markets for the industry.

BIM said the most significant developments at EU level for the industry was the successful preservation of the Irish Box, albeit reduced in size.

The aquaculture industry had a mixed performance in 2003 with salmon farming affected by exceptional stock losses and depressed market returns.

Its fortunes were alleviated by a recovery in prices towards the end of the year. In contrast, the farmed shellfish sector put in a strong performance helped by favourable environmental conditions and markets.

BIM chief executive Mr Pat Keogh said the seafood industry had performed well in recent years when compared with the wider food industry.

"It continues to provide vital income and employment in remote coastal and island communities and produces high quality and healthy food which is meeting increasing demand in the marketplace."

Mr Keogh said BIM continued to take a medium to long-term view and was firmly focused on the full implementation of the Government's National Development Programme as a means of realising the industry's development potential.