£767,000 grants boost for English fish processors
21 July 2011
Fish processing companies in England have been awarded £767,000 from the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO)
The money, awarded to three individual projects, will safeguard over 90 jobs and could help to create up to 18 additional roles in the sector.
The biggest single award approved by the panel of judges was around £489,000 to Jaines and Son, a fish processing and wholesale company which currently employs approximately 30 people in Grimsby. The grant will help the company to relocate to a purpose built facility on the Europarc development to the west of the town.
Other funding awarded to fish processing and wholesale companies include £133,300 to Albert Darnell Ltd, Grimsby and £145,100 to Venture Seafoods, Bridlington.
The total value of the investment in the fish processing industry, when other public and private sector match funding is included, is more than £1.9 million.
The funding was approved in early July as part of a £1.4 million package of investment in the English fishing industry. Of this £437,000 was also awarded for actions that will benefit groups working in the fishing industry and £245,000 towards a development in the aquaculture sector.
Catherine Murphy, Programme Manager for the European Fisheries Fund in England, said:
“By backing the expansion of processing companies the EFF is not just helping to protect and create jobs for people directly employed by them but also helping local fishing fleets too. Supporting companies to increase their processing capacity and expand into new markets could in turn create more demand for local fisheries products.
“I’d urge anyone who’s thinking about developing their business or investing in new facilities and equipment to contact us first to see whether their idea is likely to be accepted for funding. Projects don’t have to be large to qualify for funding through the scheme however. The minimum cost can be around £1200 or less.”
So far this year a total of over £3.5 million has been awarded through the EFF scheme in England to help the country’s fishing fleet.
Money is available through the scheme for fishermen, processing and aquaculture businesses, towards marketing fish products and for projects which will benefit groups, such as harbour improvements.
Applications for the fund can be made at any time, however grants over £100,000 are considered by the judging panel which sits on a quarterly basis. Applications need to be received by 21 September for consideration at the next judging panel on 16 November.
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