£1,050,000 of European and government funds has been secured to help the development and diversification of the fishing industry and fishing communities along the Northern Devon coast.
The funding, which has been made available from the European Fisheries Fund and Defra through the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), will be used by the Northern Devon Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) to help the area’s fishing communities build a more sustainable future for themselves.
The FLAG will be open for grant applications following the launch to support projects that meet the objectives set out in a local development strategy, with funding available up until December 2015. The programme covers the whole of Torridge and North Devon with a particular focus on the four landing ports and historic fishing communities of Appledore, Ilfracombe, Bideford and Clovelly.
“We are looking to support projects with the fishing sector and with related businesses that use fish such as processors, retailers, hotels and restaurants,” said FLAG Programme Manager Jenny Carey-Wood. “We need to add value to the fish landed and processed locally as well as boost the understanding and use of fish by local people and businesses. Projects could also support community and business led projects on maritime heritage, food tourism, seafood promotion, cooking and fishing skills etc. Contact me on 01237 426426 or check out our website: www.ndflag.co.uk.”
