A one million pound catch
A fund of £1m is available to support any new ideas to improve the way fishing boats under ten metres work. This includes ways of improving safety and efficiency Vessels from Amble are likely to be eligible for the scheme.
Boats measuring up to 10 metres make up over three quarters of the North East fleet. Anyone in Northumberland working on boats of this size can apply for the funding made available under the European Fisheries Fund (EFF).
The new EFF ‘Innovation Fund’ offers up to 90 per cent towards projects over £500. Applications can be made until March 2011 from anyone with new ideas to improve the way boats in this sector operate. The scheme is available across England until March 2011.
Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon said:”The Government is committed to helping England’s small scale fishing fleet develop more sustainable ways of working in order to ensure their long-term future.”
Applications will be judged by a panel including representatives from the fishing industry. One member of the judging panel is Nathan de Rozarieux, a fisherman, who said: “The funding will be allocated on a first come first served basis so I’d encourage anyone who has an idea to get in touch as soon as possible to find out how they may be able to benefit.”
The judges are particularly looking for ideas that will help share experiences, improve safety, reduce the environmental impact of fishing including discards and increase catch quality and value.
More information is available from Marine Management Organisation (MMO) staff at the Harbour Commissioner’s Office on Amble quayside, or by visiting the MMO website at www.marinemanagement.org.uk.
