Press release
McConalogue announces further support for Inshore fisheries sector
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
In a meeting with representatives of the Inshore fisheries sector today, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue announced a new round of funding under the Brexit Inshore Fisheries Business Model Adjustment Scheme.
The support scheme which operated in 2022 was put in place to assist inshore fishers in adjusting to the impacts of Brexit on their businesses and delivered on a recommendation of the Report of the Seafood Task Force – Navigating Change (October 2021). The scheme was delivered successfully to over 800 eligible applicants. However, given the ongoing challenges faced by the inshore sector, the scheme has been redeveloped and relaunched to offer further support to inshore fishers.
The Minister and inshore representatives also discussed a range of other topics important to the inshore sector, including developments in the hook and line mackerel fishery, North West herring policy and new fishing opportunities for spurdog. The Minister also spoke about his initiative to establish a Brown Crab Working Group in order to review the current arrangements in place for that fishery and to examine management options likely to support the sustainability of brown crab stocks in Ireland.
Announcing the new Scheme, Minister McConalogue said:
“Our inshore fishers make a significant contribution to our coastal communities and blue economy, but have been significantly impacted by Brexit and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. While positive steps have been taken to support these fishers, the challenges in terms of operating costs and market access remain.
“I am announcing today up to €3.5 million in short-term funding for the sector. This new round of support will bridge the gap for the inshore sector, while longer term measures to strengthen the seafood sector as a whole take effect.”
The 2023 support scheme will introduce a suite of new online training modules to be made available by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), specifically tailored to the inshore fishing sector which will help these fishers manage costs, increase product quality and reach new customers. The scheme will be open to owners of fishing vessels under 18 metres in length, registered in the polyvalent, polyvalent potting and specific segments. Payments will be made to eligible beneficiaries who complete one of the modules, in order to assist them in implementing changes to their business model. Payment rates remain at €2,700 for owners of vessels under 8 metres in length and €4,000 for owners of vessels between 8 metres and 17.99 metres in length.
Minister McConalogue added:
“This additional measure for the Inshore sector is part of a wider comprehensive package of supports and development strategies which will transform the seafood industry so that it can continue to develop sustainably. The ongoing investments in promoting inshore stocks in domestic and overseas markets, in developing marine infrastructure and investing in all elements of the seafood supply chain will provide opportunities for inshore fishers. These latest short term supports will allow these fishers to capitalise on these opportunities and navigate through the current challenging environment.”
The Scheme will open in the coming weeks and will be administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara. Further details will be available from BIM in due course at www.bim.ie/fisheries/funding/
For vessel owners to be eligible, they must demonstrate that they were actively fishing during 2022. The scheme will specify requirements in this respect.
In March 2021, Minister McConalogue set up the Seafood Sector Task Force to examine the implications for the Irish Fishing industry and coastal communities particularly dependent upon it arising from the Brexit Trade and Cooperation Agreement, agreed between the European Union and the UK. The Task Force, chaired by Aiden Cotter, was charged with recommending initiatives that could be taken to provide supports for development and restructuring, so as to ensure a profitable and sustainable fishing fleet and to identify opportunities for jobs and economic activity in coastal communities dependent on fishing.
Minister McConalogue received the Task Force report on 11 October 2021. The report recommended 16 support schemes at a total estimated cost of €423 million. The recommendations included a voluntary decommissioning scheme for the white fish fleet to restore fleet viability, supports for temporary cessation of fishing activities, capital investment in seafood processing enterprises, in aquaculture enterprises and in publicly owned marine infrastructure, and investment to diversify the economies of our coastal communities through a community led local development initiative through the seven Fisheries Local Action Groups.
The scheme provides five training modules, including three new modules which were developed to meet the needs of inshore fishers in the current environment.
These include:
This module will provide participants with the core skills, understanding and tools to adapt their own professional business plan to develop or stabilise their seafood operation which is needed as a result of the new market conditions due to Brexit.
The course will take participants through a clear business plan structure which has been tailored towards seafood clients. It will cover all areas but will focus on those areas most impacted by Brexit: the objectives of the business; the product range; sourcing and manufacturing; the target market; financing and budgeting; adding value and route to market. The course will also direct participants to where they can get further help and support.
Brexit has caused a huge change in market dynamics with significant disruption to the export of seafood products. At the same time we are seeing opportunities to reach new markets and consumers as more Irish people are buying and eating Irish seafood products that ever before. Digital skills and the use of social media can help sole traders and small seafood businesses to reach and sell to new customers.
This module will raise awareness of the opportunities that exist for inshore fishers to reach customers directly online and engage participants so that they develop a new interest in digital skills training to help them further their business interests online. It will show them how to navigate the internet as a small business owner in the inshore fishing sector and will look examples of how to reach your customers within the seafood sector. It will take participants through the role of social media, Google, email marketing and using the best business toolbox of all to promote and trade online - your Smartphone.
Shellfish species make up the majority of the Inshore sectors catch, the majority of which is sold via the export market as a live product. Market prices of shellfish vary throughout the year with the highest prices for these species generally being at times when catch volumes are low. Live holding of shellfish allows producers to hold a proportion of their catch to place on the market during times when a higher market price can be achieved. Brexit has caused the Inshore sector numerous issues which have led to an increase in their cost of production, so live holding has the potential to allow the Inshore sector to generate a greater return from their catch, thus helping to negate this increase in costs.
This module will provide Inshore fishermen with the knowledge they need to live hold shellfish so they can generate a better return from their catches. The module will provide details on the live holding systems available, how to care for the catch and how best they should be deployed. The course will also direct participants to where they can get further help and support, including where they can access relevant grant aid funding to help support and diversify their businesses.
Brexit has caused the Inshore sector numerous issues which have led to an increase in their costs. One of the first areas businesses can look at when facing increased production costs is where they can find efficiencies in their businesses and where they can optimise their performance to help to reduce their operating costs and increase their profitability. In the Inshore sector, fuel is often one of the main operating costs and reducing fuel use through vessel and engine performance can make a significant improvement to a business’s bottom line.
This module will provide Inshore fisher’s with knowledge on how to reduce their operating costs, particularly relating to their fuel use and improving their vessels performance. The course will also direct participants to where they can get further help and support, including where they can access relevant grant aid funding.
Shrimp and Velvet crab are two important species for the Inshore sector however, they can be difficult to handle correctly which can result in mortalities and a reduced market price to the producer. With Brexit increasing costs for the Inshore sector, reducing losses and maximise returns are an important way to negate increased costs.
This module will provide Inshore fishers with the knowledge they need to care correctly for their catch, reducing losses and increasing the value from what they catch with a particular focus on shrimp and velvet crab. The course will also direct participants to where they can get further help and support, including where they can access relevant grant aid funding.