WELSH MARINE & FISHERIES SCHEME

The Welsh Marine and Fisheries Scheme is open!

£1.4 million of Welsh Government funding is available to boost the marine, fisheries and aquaculture industry in Wales. The Fishing Animateurs are offering free application support through a Welsh Fisheries Animateur Pilot project. This is funded by the Welsh Government in collaboration with the Welsh Fishermen's Association. To access this support you can contact us by phone 01736 362782, text 07864087119 or email info@fishinganimateur.co.uk.

In order to be eligible to apply you must be based in Wales and be a Welsh marine, seafood or aquaculture enterprise OR a public sector body or a charity.

The scheme aims to ensure sustainable growth in the sector and help coastal communities prosper. The £1.4 million is available from £700,000 revenue and £700,000 capital. The application window will remain open for 10 weeks, closing on the 24th March 2025. A wide range of activities can be supported through the scheme under 11 separate categories. 

Categories

  • Innovation

  • Advisory services

  • Promotion of human capital and networking

  • Health, safety and wellbeing

  • Fishing ports, landing sites and shelters

  • Increasing the potential of aquaculture sites

  • Marketing measures

  • Processing of fishery and aquaculture produce to add value and improve product quality

  • Limitation of the impact of seafood production on the marine environment, and adaptation of fishing to the protection of species

  • Protection, restoration and enhancement of marine biodiversity and ecosystems

  • Energy efficiency.

Activities include, but are not limited to:

  • Funding to increase the potential of aquaculture sites and equipment on vessels aimed at reducing emissions and increasing energy efficiency.

  • Professional advice for businesses ranging from marine environment sustainability to business and marketing plans.

  • Applicants could also apply for funding for optional health and safety items on board vessels or land based.

The last funding round provided grants for a variety of projects including items such as ice machines, ice flakers, weighing scales, cool boxes for fishers, vessel modifications to improve energy efficiency, and marine evidence gathering projects.

The maximum grant award per application is £100,000 with the minimum grant award being £500.

Applicants must be registered with Rural Payments Wales (RPW) Online, where the application and claims processes can be found.