The modernisation of the industry will help strengthen the sector’s ability to land more fish in the U.K. and take them to market faster
The Government of United Kingdom (U.K.) has announced a fund of £ 75 million to modernize the fishing industry and level-up coastal communities.
The fishing communities across the U.K. will benefit from better infrastructure, strengthened supply chains, new jobs and an investment in skills. The modernisation of the industry will help strengthen the sector’s ability to land more fish in the U.K. and take them to market faster.
Of this £ 75 million, £ 65 million will be used for infrastructure scheme which will include modernizing of ports and harbours alongside increasing capacity and efficiency at processing and aquaculture facilities. The Government will also run a competition to identify the best projects, prioritizing those that reduce carbon emissions, helping increase the sustainability of the sector and contributing towards the UK’s commitment to reach Net Zero by 2050.
The remaining £ 10 million will be used to encourage new entrants into the processing, catching and aquaculture sectors, alongside training and upskilling of current workers. The Government will offer better training to people joining the industry.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – George Eustice said, “A year on from the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, a positive picture is emerging for our fishing industry. Today, we are announcing a £ 65 million infrastructure scheme which will allow us to modernise ports and harbours and increase capacity and efficiency at processing facilities. A £10 million fund will encourage new entrants into the processing, catching and aquaculture sectors, and train and upskill those in the industry.”
The 2 funding schemes are the second and third parts of the £ 100 million U.K. Seafood Fund designed to level up coastal communities across the U.K. This follows the Science and Innovation pillar, announced in September, which is investing in new technology, trialling new gear and supporting world-class research to improve the productivity and long-term sustainability of the industry.
Post Brexit, there have been uplifts in quota for U.K. vessels, with the value of U.K.-E.U. fishing opportunities totalling approximately £ 333 million in 2021.
The funding will also provide further support for fishers and industry workers through the development of new, tailored courses in business management, mathematics and literacy, as well as courses on health, safety and wellbeing improvements to existing courses with funding for staff and equipment.
Separately, to ensure that fishing communities reap the benefits of Brexit, the package of measures known as the ‘economic link’, has also been finalised which raises the minimum number of U.K. crew on vessel to 70%.
