A fund of £1 million (€1.2 million/$1.6 million) has been launched to support innovative projects in the under 10-metre fishing sector in England. Anyone working with or in the sector can apply for the funding made available under the European Fisheries Fund (EFF).
The new EFF ‘Innovation Fund’ offers up to 90% towards projects over £500 (€589/$800). Applications can be made until March 2011 from anyone with new ideas to improve the way the sector operates.
There is a particular need for ideas that will help share ideas and best practice, improve safety, reduce the environmental impact of fishing, including discards, and increase catch quality and value.
UK 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. Innovation will play a central part and I am delighted that we have been able to secure funding specifically to support this.
“We are challenging anyone with a vision for the future of the under 10-metre fleet to bring us their ideas for projects of all sizes, from individuals to those involving the wider community.”
Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis and will be judged by a panel including representatives from the fishing industry. One member of the judging panel is Nathan de Rozarieux, a fisherman and former project director of Seafood Cornwall.
de Rozarieux said he believes getting the best price for catches and innovating with technologies old and new are critically important for the future of the inshore sector.
“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,” he said.
The Innovation Fund is open to applicants from England working in or directly with the under 10 metre sector. More information is available from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) website at www.marinemanagement.org.uk.
The MMO is a non-departmental public body created earlier this year as a result of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. It brings together key marine decision-making powers and delivery mechanisms to provide an integrated method of planning, regulating and licensing activity in the marine area.
Application forms for the EFF ‘Innovation Fund’ are available from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) website, or write to Catherine Lax at the MMO at PO Box 1275, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE99 5BN, or collect an application form in person from one of the MMO’s 18 coastal offices.
The Innovation Fund is part of the European Fisheries Fund. Successful applicants will be required to contribute to the overall cost of the project, with the remainder coming from the EFF Innovation Fund and a national grant.
Examples of projects being sought include:
· Diversification away from stocks under pressure;
· New methods of reducing discards;
· Promoting or improving vessel safety;
· Reducing the environmental impacts of fishing;
· Improving catch quality and increasing landing value through sustainable fishing methods; and
· Improving access to fisheries information and shared knowledge.
Defra’s Sustainable Access to Inshore Fisheries project (SAIF) is considering reforms that will help put the fleet on a socially, environmentally and economically sustainable footing.
EFF provides financial assistance to help implement the latest reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.
England has about £38 million (€44.7 million/$60.8 million) of EFF funding during the period 2007-2013 to help the fisheries industry adapt to changing needs.
