Northern Ireland’s Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, has announced the Marine Environment and Fisheries Fund for Northern Ireland stakeholders is now open for applications.
The fund provides GBP 3.5 million financial support for fishing, aquaculture and marine stakeholders and is available up to 31 March 2025.
GBP 2.5 million of the new funding package is designed to deliver benefits to fishermen, processing and aquaculture businesses, port authorities, inland fishers and stakeholders with environmental interests and includes GBP 500,000 for applications that positively impact on green-growth, decarbonisation of the fisheries sectors and, ultimately progression towards net-zero. The remaining GBP 1 million of financial assistance is geared towards supporting proposals that focus on the preservation and restoration of “blue carbon” within Northern Ireland’s territorial waters.
In launching the fund, Muir said: “In terms of what type of projects can be assisted through the initiative, the support is broadly consistent to the support offered through recent European and national fisheries funding programmes and includes opportunities for investment within fish processing and aquaculture operations.
“The programme will also encourage investment in safer fishing initiatives and operations and other investments onboard fishing vessels focusing on adding value and reducing operational costs. Applications relating to innovative projects and processes, marketing initiatives and research; more selective fishing gear and practices, and commercial fishing port infrastructure are also encouraged.”
The minister continued: “My department will be delivering this scheme in tandem with the development of a longer-term strategy for future fisheries support which, subject to funding availability, will be reflective of the current focus and concerns on sustainability, green growth, the blue economy and economic resilience.
“I am glad that we are able to provide this support in these challenging times and my department will be happy to offer help, signposting and guidance to potential applicants.”
In addition to the GBP 3.5 million grant funding available, a further GBP 1.1 million earmarked funding from HM Treasury is allocated towards the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute’s costs associated with Annual Fisheries Data Collection and the Department’s fisheries management and control operations.
