A project to help the region’s fishermen net new business is being launched along the North East coast in the UK.

The skipper training scheme being introduced by regional development agency, One NorthEast, aims to help local fisherman make the most of their catch and explore other opportunities such as taking tourists on their boats.

The pioneering scheme gives skippers the chance to obtain their “ticket” – a nationally recognised qualification proving their competence at sea.

Over the next three years, a total of 30 selected skippers are expected to undergo the training.

The first batch of 10 skippers are already on the programme, which is focusing on the region’s key fishing ports including Blyth, Amble, North Shields, Sunderland, Hartlepool and Redcar.

During the course, the candidates will be asked to prove they can manage their vessels safely, maintain them in good order, and will be taught how to maximise their catch potential.

They’ll also be given business skills to help them diversify into other areas, such as taking out tourists on their boats.

One NorthEast is jointly sponsoring the scheme, investing just over £179,000, and it is being managed by the Anglo Scottish Seafish Industry Group Training Association (ASSFIGTA) with additional funding from DEFRA.

At the end of the course, the fishermen on the course will be trained to NVQ level 3 or 4.

David Allison, director of business and industry, One NorthEast said:

“Fishing is one of our core, traditional industries and we must secure its long term viability. One way to help this is to give fishermen, who we already know are among the best in the business, the opportunity to obtain their “ticket”.

“Many of our communities in the North East are built around fishing’s success, and their future depends on the industry continuing to be profitable.

“The training scheme will ensure skippers know how to operate their boats safely and efficiently, and give them the skills to improve the quality of their catches allowing them to target niche markets.”

Dennis Osborne, of ASSFIGTA said:

”We have one of the best catching fleets in Europe. We at Anglo Scottish Seafish Industry Group training association recognise the need to help skippers achieve official qualifications.

“In an industry which has one of the highest mortality and accident rates found in any industry it is imperative that skippers have the necessary tickets to deal with the pressures of modern fishing.

“A lot of the skippers on the course see this as a way ahead not only for the fishing industry but also it allows them to diversify should they wish to.”

Major Hartley, a Hartlepool-based fisherman with 24 years experience at sea, said: “This ticket gives me a chance to get an official qualification in work that I have been doing all my life. It also gives me the chance to move onto bigger fishing vessels in the future.”

One NorthEast is examining various ways of helping to secure a long-term future for the region’s fishing industry.

Fishing makes a vital contribution to the North East economy, forming part of the social, cultural and sustainability of coastal communities.

In 2003, 650 people were employed on fishing vessels operating along the North East coast and the value of landings to the region was more than £10m per year. Processing is worth £11m per year and employs 225 people in the region.

Over the next five years, One NorthEast is looking to increase the economic value of the processing industry by 15 percent, and the value of landings by 10 percent.

This will be achieved through encouraging innovation, providing focused support to processors, and helping fishermen improve the quality, handling and traceability of their catch.