Fishing companies net £3-million in grants – Fishupdate.com

Fishing companies net £3-million in grants Published:  13 October, 2010

More than £3 million in grants has been awarded to the English fishing industry from the European Fisheries Fund and the Marine Management Organisation.

A total of 11 projects were approved by the EFF selection panel this month. The biggest single grant awarded at the panel meeting was £1.22 million for the regeneration of Southwold fishing harbour, near Fleetwood in Suffolk, followed by a £443,000 grants for improvements to a cold store and fish processing unit in Whitby.Other significant grants included:-

* £245,000 for the demolition and rebuilding of fishermen’s premises in Looe harbour* £337,000 for a processing factory in Fleetwood* More than £100,000 for an electronic auction at Brixham market* £161,000 for the redevelopment of a fish processing factory in Hull* £54,900 for improvements to fishermen’s units in Plymouth* £76,000 for improvements to fishermen’s cellars in Clovelly, Devon* £479,000 for storing and maintenance of fishing boats in Withernsea* £131,900 to improve fish market access and safety improvements in Hastings* £25,920 for a new boat engine in Exeter.

Ray Hedley, chairman of the England selection panel and head of MMO’s Business Relations Team, said: ‘I was very pleased to see so many high quality applications. These are significant investments from both the public and private sectors at this time.”

He added “The EFF is a tool to support the industry in striving to be sustainable, profitable, well managed and internationally competitive.”

Grants are available for many different fishing projects including modernising fishing vessels to reduce discards, improve gear selectivity and minimise environmental impact, improving product quality, marketing fisheries products, improvements to processing and port facilities and the development of sustainable fisheries.