Irish fishing boats.
Photo: Adobe Stock.
In response to the impact of rising fuel costs on Ireland's seafood sector, the Irish government has announced the opening of a new support scheme for aquaculture and fisheries operators.
The Fishing and Aquaculture Registered Vessel Fuel Support Scheme was launched last week by Ireland's Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, and Fisheries Minister Timmy Dooley, following the opening at the beginning of May of a similar scheme for farmers and contractors.
“The Government recognises the exceptional pressure that the sudden increase in the cost of fuel has placed on farmers, contractors and fishermen and women, and in response has allocated funding of €100 million to provide meaningful income support for these sectors," Heydon said.
“On 6 May I opened a scheme for farmers and contractors, and today I am happy to open this scheme specifically designed to assist vessel owners in the fishing and aquaculture sectors. Up to €15 million will be available to eligible vessel owners at a critical time in the fishing season.”
Minister Dooley described the funding initiative as "a straightforward scheme directed at those vessels most impacted by the sudden increase in the cost of fuel."
He added that Irish seafood development agency Bord Iascaigh Mhara to would be operating the scheme, saying "I urge vessel owners to engage early with BIM to facilitate a smooth application process.”
Irish officials said the scheme is designed to support owners of fishing and aquaculture vessels in offsetting rising costs of fuel due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The support scheme spans from March until the end of July, described by authorities as "a critical time in the fisheries calendar," and is open to owners of both fishing and aquaculture vessels, subject to certain conditions, including tax compliance at the time of payment. The vessels from both sectors must be registered on the Irish Fleet Register at the time of grant application, and fishing vessels must have been actively fishing from March to July in 2025.
Full details of elibility and the application process can be found on the BIM website, where the scheme will be open for applications until Friday, 12 June 2026.
