Fishermen looking to buy additional safety equipment are being encouraged to apply for support from the European Fisheries Fund (EFF), says the Marine Management Organisation.
Up to 60% funding is available towards non-mandatory safety equipment through Axis 1 of the EFF scheme, the pot of money specifically set out for improvements on fishing vessels.
People spending more than £1,000 on safety equipment beyond the minimum standards set by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency may qualify for the help available.
Steve Eglintine, UK Programme Manager for EFF, explains “The level of public money available depends on individual circumstances, however people could save a significant proportion of the money they were looking to spend and we really don’t want them to miss out.
“I’d encourage anyone who’s thinking about making improvements on their vessel to give us a call and see whether their idea is likely to be accepted. It may be that we discover they qualify for other funding too.
“We can’t support work that’s already been carried out, or items that have already been purchased so it’s really important people speak to us before committing to anything.”
The minimum award for funding is £500, therefore to qualify projects must cost at least £1,000 or more, depending on the size of vessel and type of fishing activity carried out. It is possible to combine the safety equipment with other vessel investments to make the application reach this amount.
Alternatively, fishermen’s associations and producers’ organisations can apply for funding for several items to be shared out among the group. Funding is also available through Axis 3 of EFF to improve safety in harbour areas, and for other projects which will benefit groups of fishermen.
