Further £1 million invested into England’s fishing industry

27 May 2020 12:50 PM

A £1 million grants scheme supporting innovative ways to sell fish and shellfish has awarded the first grants to projects across England.

The Domestic Seafood Supply Scheme was set up in April to help projects that will increase the sale and consumption of locally caught seafood. It was a competitive scheme, judged by an independent panel of, fishing industry, government and Marine Management Organisation representatives.

The panel yesterday approved 13 significant projects that have the potential to deliver wider collective benefits. It is seeking further clarification on a number of other projects which will be considered at a further panel meeting on 8 June 2020. Applicants will be notified from Wednesday 27 May.

The fund and the grants scheme were administered by the Marine Management Organisation.

The Scheme is funded by HM Treasury and the Maritime and Fisheries Fund and is a joint endeavour between Defra, MMO, Seafish and the fishing industry.

It is part of the government’s £10 million Fisheries Response Fund to assist the fishing industry sectors most impacted by Covid-19, also administered by MMO.

Seven weeks since the launch of this fund, payments of up to £10,000 each have been made to more than 1200 fishing and aquaculture businesses to help with their fixed business costs.

The judging panel includes representatives from industry and government, including The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO), the New Under Ten Fishermen’s Association (NUFTA), The Cornish Fish Producers Organisation (CFPO), Grimsby Fish Merchants Association, Seafish, the Marine Management Organisation and Defra.

Guidance has also been published on the further support available for the fishing industry.