New Projects Set to Benefit English Fisheries Sector

Five projects were awarded around 1.2 million under Axis 3 of the EFF scheme which fund port and harbour regenerations. These included new chill capacity and ice plants for Sutton Harbour in Plymouth and Padstow Harbour in Cornwall. A project involving the installation of a weighing and grading machine as part of the second phase of the regeneration of Grimsby fish dock also received a grant.

Just under 600,000 has been granted to two projects under Axis 2 of the scheme which supports the seafood processing sector.

One of these projects saw The Severn and Wye Smokery awarded a grant for a new fish filleting line. This will eliminate the need to send fish off site to be filleted. The project will improve the quality and value of their products and create jobs.

Training opportunities have also been supported. Seafish have been awarded grants for four projects to deliver training to new entrants to the fishing industry as well as training in navigation, engineering, stability and radio operation for experienced fishermen.

Catherine Murphy, Programme Manager for the EFF in England, added: The panel were delighted to support these projects, which will be of great benefit to the local areas involved and the wider English fisheries sector. EFF has had a very positive impact in England but there is still funding available to make further improvements.

"We are now in to the last year of the EFF scheme and dont want potential applicants to miss out on funding. Id encourage anyone planning projects to get in touch with us first to see if we may be able to help.