Ireland launches major funding support for fishing fleet and seafood processors

Ireland's Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, has this week unveiled four new schemes aimed at bolstering the Irish fishing fleet and seafood processing industry.

The initiatives, jointly funded by the Irish government and the European Maritime, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021-2027, mark a significant investment in Ireland’s maritime sector, and are integral components of the €258 million Seafood Development Programme, announced in February.

All of the schemes are open for applications from 25 June 2024 onwards.

"Both the fishing fleet and seafood processors have experienced significant challenges in recent years. The launch of these schemes will continue to build on supports provided to the seafood sector under the European Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF) and the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to deal with these challenges," said McConalogue in an Irish government press release.

"This demonstrates our commitment to the support and development of this sector, which is of significant economic, social and cultural value to our coastal, rural communities. Following the launch of the EMFAF programme in February, my Department worked closely with Bord Iascaigh Mhara to develop schemes for industry, and they will implement these schemes on behalf of my Department," McConalogue added.

The first of the four schemes announced focuses on inshore fisheries, designed for small-scale coastal fishing vessels under 12 meters that do not use towed gear. The scheme offers enhanced grant rates of 80%-100% for both on-board and on-shore investments, along with participation in conservation efforts.

Alongside this, the Minister also announced the launch of a lobster V-notching initiative to enhance the sustainability of this vital fishery, where mature female lobsters are marked with a v-notch in their tails and put back to sea alive to enable them to reproduce and thus support future lobster stocks. Fishermen participating in the scheme receive financial support representing a proportion of the value of the v-notched lobsters returned to the sea.

"The Inshore Fisheries Scheme aims to be a ‘One Stop Shop’ grant aid scheme for all small-scale coastal fishers. While the V Notching Scheme is a valuable conservation measure to support a fishery of significant importance to the inshore fishing fleet," McConalogue said.

The third initiative, the Sustainable Fisheries Scheme, supports all registered fishing vessels, excluding the small-scale coastal category, for "on-board" investment.

Like the Inshore Fisheries scheme, the Sustainable Fisheries scheme focuses on funding for fishing vessels to utilise more selective gear reducing catches of juvenile and over-quota species, promoting long-term sustainability of fisheries.

According to McConalgoue, the scheme "will support economically, socially and environmentally sustainable fishing activities."

The fourth scheme announced this week focuses on Ireland's important seafood processing sector, which employs approximately 4,000 people in Ireland's rural coastal communities.

The scheme provides substantial support for capital investments within the sector, also building on the €30 million funding allocated under the Brexit Processing Capital Support Scheme.

“The Seafood Processing Capital Investment Scheme will support seafood processors to engage in transformational change, while also building more environmentally friendly, sustainable, and competitive enterprises, and make better and more sustainable use of Irish landed or imported raw material," Minister McConalogue said.

The four schemes will be administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland’s seafood development agency, who will offer guidance and manage applications through an online grant system.

“These schemes are crucial for the continued growth and sustainability of our fishing fleet and processing sectors," said BIM's CEO, Caroline Bocquel.

"As Ireland’s seafood development agency, BIM’s own work programme includes a range of measures, also funded under EMFAF, designed to ensure we have an adaptable, resilient and sustainable seafood sector. Ireland is known for the quality and diversity of its seafood, from our prawns and lobster to our oysters and organic salmon. BIM will continue to work in partnership with the Department and industry to support the continued development of this important sector," Bocquel added.

"The Seafood Development Programme ensures that our sector remains environmentally friendly, sustainable, and attractive. These initiatives will support jobs and serve both the EU and global markets, securing the future of this vital industry," McConalogue said.

Full details are available on BIM's official website.