The chief executive of Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Pat Keogh, has decided to step down in four months' time.
The move comes just a fortnight after the Government published its €600 million strategy for the seafood industry and amid an impasse over decentralisation plans for the sea fisheries development board.
No staff have applied to move from Bord Iascaigh Mhara's (BIM) headquarters in Dún Laoghaire to Clonakilty, Co Cork.
Mr Keogh recently completed his second five-year term as chief executive. In a statement, he said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time at BIM and was "proud of the organisation's achievements".
However, he believed that publication of the new strategy review, to be implemented by former Bord Bainne head Dr Noel Cawley, represented an ideal time to appoint a successor.
Mr Keogh added: "The new strategy maps out a dynamic role for BIM in the sustainable development of the seafood industry over the next seven years and it is a good time for a new chief executive to take the helm."
Rose McHugh, chairwoman of BIM, paid tribute to the "tremendous contribution" Mr Keogh had made both to BIM and to the seafood industry. Minister of State for the Marine John Browne praised him for his "dedicated stewardship" of BIM.
