Alongside the deal with the European Union, the UK Government announced ‘major investment’ into British fishing and coastal communities. The Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund will provide £360m of funding over the next 12 years.
While full details have yet to be provided, the UK Government said it ‘will invest in new technology and equipment to modernise Britain’s fishing fleet, deliver new training and skills to back the next generation of fishers and promote the seafood sector to export our high-quality produce across the world’.
It has also said it will work with the industry to target investment where it matters most, recognising a view from industry bodies that previous funds have not always directly benefited fishermen and smaller fishing businesses.
Launching the fund, secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs Steve Reed said: “The Government is backing coastal communities by investing £360m into our fishing industry, securing the future for the next generation of fishers and breathing new life into our coastal communities as part of the Plan For Change.”
The fund will be UK-wide, but it is so far unclear what role the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will play.
Scottish Government cabinet secretary for rural affairs, land reform and islands Mairi Gougeon said: “We urge the UK Government to clarify urgently how the new Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund will be administered and apportioned to avoid duplication and confusion.
“Scotland should have a share of the fund which reflects the economic and social importance of fishing to our country. The fund should be devolved and administered by the Scottish Government – in close consultation with our key stakeholders – to ensure investments are targeted to ensure a prosperous future for our catching and processing sectors.”
The fund has been given a cautious welcome by the NFFO: “The Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund sounds significant, but the devil will be in the detail. We need the Government to work closely with us, to ensure the money is actually spent in ways that directly benefit fishermen. There must be a long-term plan to help fishing business to grow and coastal communities to thrive.
“The Government must show that it cares for our sector and for people on the coast. Close and constructive collaboration on the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund and a national strategy on fishing would be a good start.”
The UK Government subsequently announced plans for communities in coastal areas to receive payment for hosting clean energy infrastructure, such as offshore wind farms. The proposals would require energy developers to pay into community benefit funds. That money would then be available to spend on local priorities and services to benefit residents, community groups and businesses, with people in the area deciding where the money should be spent.
Proposals have also been set out around how communities could own a stake in renewable energy infrastructure through shared ownership, which would result in profits being reinvested back into the community. A working paper on the policies has been published, with the UK Government inviting views from stakeholders until 16 July.
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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