According to the press communiqué EFF has given the largest single grant which was £2.3 million for a new fish market in Newlyn, Cornwall. It is subject to assurances from the new Newlyn Harbour Commissioners who are expected to be appointed before Easter. It is informed that the new Harbour Commissioners will need to provide assurances that they are content with the project – particularly the match funding required.
Previously Newlyn applications had been rejected due to problems with the industry’s views, the match funding of the project, and the governance of the harbour. After much hue and cry sufficient progress has been made to allow a provisional grant offer to be made. It is said that in total 11 grant applications were approved by the English EFF panel, chaired by the Marine and Fisheries Agency which met on February 17.
The press release states that the total grant aid, match funding and other investment in the 11 projects represents an estimated £12.6 million investment for the English fishing industry. Grimsby will benefit from £1.75 million grant aid for fish market improvement and processing facilities. Projects studying selectivity of crab pots and the state of sardine and anchovy stocks in the Celtic Sea were also successful.
It is told that the European Fisheries (EFF) provides financial assistance to help implement the latest reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. It is to support the restructuring that has become necessary as the fisheries sector has developed.
