Minister McConalogue launches a new scheme to support new entrants into the Fishing industry

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie Mc Conalogue TD is pleased to announce the opening of the Young Fisher Scheme. This scheme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund 2021-2027 (EMFAF).

Where the recent schemes announced by the Minister, which opened on the 25th of June and the 1st of July, provide supports to those who already own and operate fishing vessels, this scheme is designed to support the purchase of a first fishing vessel. It is targeted at people who are under 40 years of age and who have demonstrated an interest in working in the industry and have gained the relevant skills and experience required, whether from working in the industry for at least five years or undertaking relevant vocational training.

The Young Fisher Scheme also supports the purchase of partial ownership of a fishing vessel. Grants of up to 40% of the cost of purchasing a vessel are available under this scheme, with some restrictions on the age and size of the vessels concerned.

Announcing the opening of this scheme, the Minister said:

The Minister concluded:

This scheme is being administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) Ireland’s seafood development agency, and the scheme is open for applications from the 8th July 2024. All details are available on www.bim.ie.

ENDS

NOTES FOR THE EDITIOR

Young Fisher Scheme

This scheme provides grant aid of up to 40% support for people under 40 years of age to acquire their first fishing vessel, which under the terms of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) Regulation must be a second-hand vessel.

To be eligible for assistance under this scheme the vessel which is being purchased must:

• Have been a registered fishing vessel for between 3-30 years if it is less than 12 metres in length and does not use towed gear

• For all other vessels, have been a registered fishing vessel for between 5-30 years

• Have an overall length of less than 24 metres

• Be equipped for sea-fishing

Transfer of ownership that occurs within the same family up to the second degree, will not be eligible for assistance under this scheme.

Further details in relation to this scheme and the online application facility, are available at: www.bim.ie

European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF)

The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) is €258 million programme, co-funded by the EU, and is Ireland’s principal source of development funding for the seafood sector in the coming years.

The EMFAF Programme for Ireland was approved by the Commission in December 2022, and will ensure continuity of the valuable supports provided to the sector under both its predecessor the €240m European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) and the BAR funded schemes implemented between 2021 and 2023 on foot of the Seafood Task Force Report.

EMFAF supports the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), the EU maritime policy and the EU’s international commitments for international ocean governance. Such support is an enabler for sustainable fisheries and the conservation of marine biological resources, for food security through the supply of seafood products, for the growth of a sustainable blue economy and for healthy, safe, secure, clean, and sustainably managed seas and oceans.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is the Managing Authority for the EMFAF programme in Ireland. BIM, the Marine Institute and Bord Bia have been implementing work programmes funded under EMFAF, which provide a wide range of supports necessary for the ongoing development of the sector, such as data collection, research and the promotion and marketing of Irish seafood.

Further information in relation to EMFAF is available at: European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund - EU Funds.