The Irish Government offers a range of funding opportunities to aquaculture, seafood and fisheries sectors under the €258 million Seafood Development Programme.
Photo: BIM.
Ireland's Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, has announced the launch of two new schemes under the EUR 258 million (USD 277m) Seafood Development Programme.
The two schemes, part of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021-2027, aim to support capital investment in aquaculture and skill development in the seafood sector, and were launched on Monday 1 July 2024.
The Aquaculture Capital Investment Scheme provides grant aid to support capital investment in the aquaculture sector.
The investments will promote sustainable growth, encourage new operators, and help smaller operators scale up and enhance their competitiveness. This scheme aligns with the objectives of the National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development (NSPSA).
The scheme, which offers a grant aid intensity rate of up to 50%, will support the utilization of technology and knowledge to facilitate sector growth. It will also promote sustainable development through investments in safety equipment, animal health and welfare, and food quality and hygiene. In addition, the scheme will support efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduction of carbon emissions through investments in energy reduction and renewable energy systems.
“The aquaculture sector is a significant contributor to national seafood production and food security," said Minister McConalogue in an Irish Government press release. "These schemes will support the sector in maintaining a competitive edge, commercial resilience, and optimized environmental performance through low impact production methods, technical innovation, and diversification.”
Applications are now invited on the BIM website.
The second funding initiative announced this week, the Seafood Training Scheme, aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of those working in the sector through recognized training and education courses. It covers costs such as exam fees and supports the development of critical skills in processing, aquaculture, and fishing sectors, including seafood retail.
Key features of the scheme include: support for young fishers and crew of Small Scale Coastal Fishers (SSCF) vessels; improvement of health, safety, and working conditions on fishing vessels; and development of skills to engage with new technologies and digital transformation.
“The Seafood Training Scheme will provide the necessary practical assistance for skill development, ensuring we have a highly skilled, adaptable workforce. This supports the sustainability and competitiveness of the seafood sector in a global market," McConalogue said.
The Seafood Training Scheme provides up to 50% grant aid for eligible industry beneficiaries and up to 100% grant aid for SSCF vessel owners. Applications for funding can be submitted online at www.bim.ie.
The announcement of these two new funding schemes follows only a few days after last week's launch of four funding schemes in support of the Irish fishing fleet and seafood processing sectors.
“These two new schemes, together with the schemes I announced last week, clearly demonstrate the breadth of supports provided under our EMFAF Seafood Development Programme," said McConalogue.
"They provide the investment needed to support the resilience and sustainability of the seafood sector, both commercial and environmental. They will help to ensure that in the face of challenges such as climate change and ever-changing market conditions, the Irish seafood sector will continue to provide a high quality product and remain competitive in a global market," he added.
The €258 million EMFAF programme is co-funded by the EU and the Government of Ireland. It is the principal source of development funding for the Irish seafood sector and supports sustainable fisheries, conservation of marine biological resources, food security, and the growth of a sustainable blue economy.
The Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine manages the EMFAF programme in Ireland, with Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Marine Institute, and Bord Bia implementing various work programmes funded under EMFAF. These programmes offer a wide range of supports necessary for the sector's ongoing development, including data collection, research, and marketing of Irish seafood.
For more information, visit European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund - EU Funds.