Cork-based Paulona Seafoods has launched Ireland's first online seafood auction allowing buyers to bid for freshly caught fish in real time, marking a significant digitalisation milestone for the Irish fishing industry, according to Business Plus.

The platform operates twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays through a partnership with French seafood auction house CCI Finistere, aligned with the Guilvinic auction. The system provides access to 260 buyers, directly opening French market opportunities where demand for fresh, high-quality whole fish remains strong.

Joe Walsh, Founder and Managing Director at Paulona Seafoods, established the company in 2001 supplying fresh Irish seafood to local and European markets. Walsh aims to diversify sales channels so 95% of revenue derives from the online auction by 2028.

Joe Walsh said: "It's a change of mindset for fishermen and a change of direction for the Irish market – if every other European country is doing it, why are we not? We are in a very different place – even 10 years ago, logistics were much more difficult, and we didn't have an online capacity."

The initiative received €179,425 investment under the Seafood Processing Capital scheme for software acquisition and an in-house prawn freezing facility. The funding was supported by the government and European Union through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund.

Richard Donnelly, Interim CEO at Bord Iascaigh Mhara, said: "The ability to identify a new revenue stream for Irish landed fish, while simultaneously increasing visibility and driving stronger market prices, is a remarkable achievement."

Paulona Seafoods works with over 25 fishing vessels landing catches specifically for the business. Before each auction, landed fish undergoes quality grading and preparation.

Learn more about Ireland's first online seafood auction and market access strategy in the full story.