Alison Elvey, grants consultant at Robinson Reed Layton, said: "It's vital, as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have a rich fishing and aquaculture heritage, that the region maximises the funding opportunities and receives its fair share of the grants on offer. "In coastal areas across the region, fishing is significantly important to local employment, both directly through the fisheries sector, and indirectly, with its links to tourism and reputation for excellent seafood. "The size of grants varies widely from £200 for small-scale projects to £1,000,000 for port infrastructure, so it's best to check the guidance, or ask an expert, to find out how much grant you can apply for before developing your project.
Applications for funding include the following:
- support for the implementation of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy including the Landing Obligation (the “discard ban”)
- improving health and safety on fishing vessels
- improving the added value or quality of fish caught including use of unwanted catches
- investments in Fishing ports, landing sites, auction halls and shelters processing of fishery and aquaculture products investments in aquaculture
Grant rates range from 30 per cent to 100 per cent, although typically private sector projects will be able to apply at 50 per cent." The fund, launched by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) in January, has about £71 million allocated to England to fund fisheries projects. These include improving health and safety on fishing vessels and improving the added value or quality of fish caught.
If you have a project idea and would like assistance then please do contact us on 01736 364324 or email Chris Ranford chris.ranford@cornwallrcc.org.uk.l