£1.4m for Welsh Marine and Fisheries Scheme
22nd January 2025
The Welsh government has announced a further £1.4m in funding to support the marine, fisheries and aquaculture sector in Wales.
Applications to the latest round of the Welsh Marine and Fisheries Scheme can be made until 24 March. A wide range of activities are eligible for support under 11 separate categories, including:
- Equipment on vessels aimed at reducing emissions and increasing energy efficiency
- Health and safety items onboard vessels or onshore
- Professional advice for businesses, ranging from marine environmental sustainability to business and marketing plans.
The last funding round provided grants for items including ice machines, cool boxes, vessel modifications to improve energy efficiency and marine evidence-gathering projects.
Deputy first minister with responsibility for climate change and rural affairs Huw Irranca- Davies said: “The Welsh Marine and Fisheries Scheme is designed to create opportunities within the marine environment, coastal communities and sustainable seafood across the whole supply chain, from production to processing and marketing.
“Our aquaculture, marine and fisheries sector brings many important benefits. It provides a low carbon, high-quality protein food source, which can support future food security, and can also deliver high-skilled jobs.
“A broad range of activities can be supported, and I’d encourage those with an interest to make use of the funding – to seek opportunities for growth, diversification and innovation and use the scheme to build a more prosperous, fairer and greener Wales.”
The maximum grant award per application is £100,000 and the minimum £500.
Free, independent support for applicants is available through a Welsh Fisheries Animateur pilot project funded by the Welsh government in collaboration with the Welsh Fishermen’s Association. To access this support, applicants can contact Fisheries Animateur by phone on: 01736 362782, text: 07864 087119 or email: info@fishinganimateur. co.uk
Applicants must be registered with Rural Payments Wales Online, where the application and claims processes can be found.
Details of the scheme, including guidance, can be found on the Welsh government’s website.
This story was taken from the latest issue of Fishing News. For more up-to-date and in-depth reports on the UK and Irish commercial fishing sector, subscribe to Fishing News here or buy the latest single issue for just £3.50 here.
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