More than 500 projects in England’s catching, processing and aquaculture sectors have been awarded over GBP 9 million in UK government funding through the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme (FaSS), the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has confirmed.
Administered by the MMO, FaSS was originally launched in 2021 to replace the previous European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).
Following the scheme’s initial success, which saw projects supported across England in 2020 and early 2021, at least GBP 6 million in funding has been secured every year to April 2025.
Projects supported around the English coastline range from ice bins and safety railings on vessels through to harbour improvements and production equipment for processing plants.
Since April 2022, an additional GBP 1.5 million has been committed from the second year of FaSS funding, as the scheme continues to encourage industry to apply for grants.
“We want to support our fishing and seafood sectors to continue to develop, adapt and ultimately succeed as we move forward into our new era as an independent coastal state,” MMO CEO Tom McCormack said.
“We look forward to working with more applicants from across England this year and continuing to support our fishing and seafood communities through the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme beyond 2022-23.”
Through the scheme, funding of up to 80% of a project’s costs can been made to:
- · Fishing related activities, including energy improvements on vessels
- · Help diversify and find new forms of income
- · Improve the resilience and sustainability of shore-based facilities
- · Support cooperative activities, building capabilities and advisory services
- · Achieve good environmental status through the conservation and restoration of the marine environment
- · Improved health and safety projects
According to the MMO, improvements made to the 2022-23 scheme include simplified guidance, enhanced levels of funding for micro-entities and funding that is better targeted at the sector’s needs.
