Welcome to the first ever edition of Catch - the magazine published by Northern Ireland Seafood (NIS) and funded by the Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme. At NIS it is our goal to consistently raise the profile of seafood and increase it's consumption in the Province. This magazine therefore aims to "catch" a few more converts to seafood and also inspire the already converted with some of our features, reviews and recipes.

Inside you'll find a range of interesting and exciting articles from the health benefits through to local interest stories. There are debates on various news items which have emerged in 2004, as well as a roundup of what has been a successful year for seafood in N. Ireland.

With consumption steadily of the increase, (we knew it wouldn't take you long to "catch" on!) we have been carrying out a full program of promotions was made to retailers as well as the range of community evenings for charities another groupings. a new education program is now up and running and our web site has been given a complete makeover. It features an excellent selection of recipes and up to date industry news or at the click of a button.

Further to this there are also updates on several other programmes which have proven to be highly successful - on the cross-border side of things, run jointly by NIS and Bord lascaigh Mhara the Seafood Development Programme (SDP) has just been launched and already enjoyed a successful trip to World Food Moscow; whilst the Seafood Marketing Programme has just concluded the second "Young Seafood Chef of the Year Competition." 2004 also saw the launch of the Quality Assurance Initiative which aims at sustaining the high standards of freshness and quality within the N. Ireland fishing industry.

At NIS, we have also cast our nets to catch you the tastiest seafood recipes created especially by top chefs around the Province. Inside you will find that there is something to suit all budgets, tastes and calorie counts. With the summer feeling like a distant memory why not warm the cockles of your heard with our delicious recipe for Seafood Chowder or add a bit of spice to those long winter nights with Spicy Prawn Cocktail or Smoked Salmon and Ginger Spring Rolls.

So dive in - we hope that you enjoy reading Catch and that it fulfils it's intention and "Catches" your imagination for the wonderful oceans of flavours and choice that seafood has to offer!

At NIS we would appreciate your views on the magazine so if you have any opinions on this edition or if there is something you would like featured in the next edition please do not hesitate to contact us.

Louise Farr, Editor.