The UK government has launched a new Domestic Seafood Supply Scheme, which will fund projects to help seafood businesses in England increase the supply of local seafood to domestic markets.
The £1 million scheme, first announced by Defra and HM Treasury on 17 April, is part of a £10 million fund for England’s fishing and aquaculture sectors that have been affected by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This new grant scheme, part of a £10 million lifeline for our fisheries sector, will help our fishing industry find new markets for their catch during this challenging time which has seen falling prices and a downturn in restaurant and export sales,” said Fisheries Minister, Victoria Prentis.
Applications are invited from groups of businesses in the fishing, aquaculture and fish processing industries or businesses which support the seafood supply chain. Projects are invited that maintain the availability of fisheries products through regional distribution; support the development of infrastructure to sell fish landed into English ports, or fish processed in England, to domestic consumers; help develop the infrastructure necessary for the catching and processing sectors to connect directly with consumers and have the potential to generate longer-term benefit to the seafood industry.
The Marine Management Organisation will accept applications for projects from 29 April to 11 May. Successful applications will be announced from 15 May.
