English fishing industry set for £15.4m funding boost ahead of Brexit

Fishing and seafood businesses in England are set for a boost with new multi-million pound funding from the government.

Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers has announced that applications are open for two fishing funds totalling £15.4m to support businesses as the UK prepares to leave the EU, in addition to the existing European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) funding.

A £14.7m share of a £37.2m UK-wide fund announced last December, will aim to encourage the adoption of innovation and technology to boost the industry and support jobs.

In addition, £700k from a £2m fund announced in the 2018 Budget is ring-fenced for fishing safety improvements on English vessels and around ports and harbours.

Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers commented: “We are taking back control of our waters and establishing the UK as an independent coastal state, with a fairer share of fishing opportunities for the whole of the UK fleet.”

“We are committed to a thriving fishing and seafood industry, and this funding will support innovation, jobs, safety at sea and help establish new markets and opportunities as we leave the EU.”

Barrie Deas, chief executive at National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, added: “I would encourage all fishermen to look closely at this new fund to see if it can help their businesses adjust to the new circumstances we will be operating under as the UK emerges as an independent coastal state.”