Minister encourages fishers to participate in the Inshore Fleet Economic Assessment Scheme as deadline for application extended
- Published on: 1 November 2024
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD wishes to encourage all eligible fishers to participate in the Inshore Fleet Economic Assessment Scheme and to make them aware of the extended deadline for applications of 8th November.
Commenting the Minister said:
“I have met with representatives of the inshore fleet to discuss the challenges facing this fleet, in particular those affecting their ability to access markets. I have progressed a scheme specifically in response to these challenges. This additional data will enhance my ability to target supports more effectively and support the continued economic viability of the inshore fleet in coming years.
I asked BIM to implement the scheme , which opened on September 16th and I am pleased that, following this recent clarification on eligibility, the deadline for applications on BIM’s website is now extended to 8 November . I encourage all eligible fishers to participate.’
The Minister previously announced the scheme specifically to support and enable the economic development of the inshore fishing fleet.
The scheme is designed to build on Inshore Census carried out by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) in 2023, by capturing additional detailed information in relation to the current market knowledge and routes to market being used by inshore fishers, as well as their ability to identify and access new markets.
Under this scheme, participants will complete detailed surveys, which will inform and enable a detailed and comprehensive assessment of these aspects of the sector. This in turn will allow the Department and BIM to develop and target effective supports that will assist inshore fishers to respond to the market challenges they face.
Following engagement between the Department and fishers representatives last week, clarification on the eligibility criteria has been issued and updated on the Bord Iascaigh Mhara website and the deadline for applications is now 8th November.
In order to encourage participation in the survey, and in recognition of the significant administrative work involved for those who do participate, the scheme will make provision for applicants to receive a payment, and the survey will be carried out in two stages. Payments will be based on vessel length, and will be paid in two instalments, one on completion of each stage of the survey. Under the scheme, a total of €3,500 will be available to vessels under 8m in length, and a total of €5,000 to vessels between 8 and 17.99m in length. A key amendment to the eligibility criteria has also been made to the scheme meaning applicants must be able to show activity of 60 days in the preceding two calendar years (2022-2023) to be eligible for the scheme. This replaces the previous need to show 60 days activity in each of the two calendar years. BIM have committed to re-assess applications previously received in light of this new eligibility criteria and those applicants will not need to resubmit an application.
The initial instalment will be €2,000 for eligible vessels on the completion of Stage 1 of the survey with the remaining balance on completion of Stage 2.
The Minister concluded:
“I was pleased over the course of the summer to announce the opening of a number of schemes to support the fishing and seafood sectors. This new scheme will complement the specific inshore scheme, providing the support needed to assist the fleet in developing and accessing markets, and getting a fair price for their catch.”
Details are available on www.bim.ie
ENDS
Notes for Editors
This scheme involves a survey that seeks to gather data in relation to the following:
Market and Economic Factors
1. Fish Prices and Market Trends
• Average selling price per species.
• Seasonal price variations.
• Factors influencing price changes (e.g., demand, supply, weather conditions).
2. Market Access
• Distance to primary markets.
• Access to market information (e.g., prices, demand trends).
3. Market Chains and Distribution
• Intermediaries involved in the fish supply chain.
• Points of sale (local markets, export).
• Efficiency of the supply chain.
4. Cooperatives and Collective Action
• Participation in fishing cooperatives.
• Benefits and challenges of cooperative membership.
• Cooperative activities (e.g., joint marketing, shared resources).
Social and Institutional Factors
5. Transportation and Logistics
• Availability and condition of transportation facilities.
• Transportation costs and their impact on profitability.
• Issues related to logistics (e.g., road conditions, vehicle availability)
6. Credit and Financial Services
• Access to credit and financial services.
• Sources of credit (e.g., banks, cooperatives, informal lenders).
• Terms and conditions of loans (interest rates, repayment schedules).
Socio-Economic and Demographic Data
7. Demographic Information
• Age, gender, and educational background of fishers.
• Household size and composition.
• Alternative sources of income.
Technological and Innovative Practices
8. Use of Technology
• Adoption of new fishing technologies and practices.
• Use of GPS and other tracking devices.
• Impact of technology on fishing efficiency and sustainability
9. Social Media and Digital Marketing
• Use of social media for marketing fish products.
• Effectiveness of online platforms in reaching consumers.
• Training and support for using digital tools.