A fishing boat leaves Whitby Harbour, Yorkshire, UK.
Photo: Adobe Stock.
The UK Government has reopened its Fisheries and Seafood Scheme (FaSS), making funding available to fishermen, seafood businesses and coastal communities across England through a programme backed by more than £132 million over the next five years.
Announced on 13 April by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), Defra and British Fisheries Minister Dame Angela Eagle, the updated scheme forms part of the wider Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, and aims to support a wide range of projects in support of the seafood sector, including workforce development, health and safety, seafood processing, community partnerships, local regeneration, port and harbour infrastructure, and trade and market access.
According to the government, the revised scheme has been shaped by industry feedback and broadened to include businesses, organisations, education institutions, community groups, charities, port authorities, harbours and coastal councils. Small-scale operators and applicants that have not previously received grant funding are also being encouraged to apply.
The changes also allow for multi-year projects, enabling applicants to spread delivery across several years, UK authorities said.
Around £6 million of the available funding has been ring-fenced for small-scale coastal fishers, with guidance and practical support to be provided during the application process. The government also said small businesses and community organisations are encouraged to collaborate locally or regionally to strengthen applications.
Dame Angela Eagle said: “The sector told us what they wanted and we listened. This scheme is the start of change, beginning with ring-fenced support for the small-scale coastal fleet, funding rounds to support higher value projects, and multi-year funding.”
“With £132 million available over the next five years, the relaunched Fisheries and Seafood Scheme will help businesses and organisations of all sizes to build long-term resilience across the industry,” she added. “Whether that’s through safer vessels, better seafood processing facilities, stronger supply chains, or improved port infrastructure, this funding is designed to make a real and lasting difference.”
Paul Errington, acting director of finance at the MMO, said: “Since opening in 2021, the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme has been incredibly successful with £40 million invested in 1,892 projects supporting England’s catching, aquaculture and processing sectors, as well as projects that continue to be improving our marine environment.”
“With this new funding we can continue to build on the legacy of this scheme and ensure the long-term success and sustainability of key coastal industries and communities.”
Smaller applications will be assessed by the MMO, with support available for first-time applicants. Larger projects worth more than £250,000 will be considered by a panel.
The 2026 panel submission deadlines are 1 May, 12 June and 4 September.
The scheme is administered by the MMO and funded through Defra’s Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, which was announced in May last year in the wake of the recent UK-EU "Brexit reset" deal. The fund which will operate as a multi-year funding scheme worth £304 million over 12 years, with around £132 million expected to be allocated up to the 2030-31 financial year.