DAERA Minister , has announced that the Marine
Environment and Fisheries Fund for Northern Ireland stakeholders
is now open for applications.
The Fund provides £3.25m financial support for fishing,
aquaculture and other marine stakeholders and is available up to
31 March 2026.
The support package is designed to deliver benefits to fishermen,
processing and aquaculture businesses, port authorities, inland
fishers and stakeholders with environmental interests. It
includes £0.75m for applications that positively impact on
green-growth, decarbonisation of the fisheries sectors and,
ultimately, the longer-term objective of progression towards a
net-zero industry. A further £0.5m of the financial assistance is
earmarked for supporting projects that aim to physically preserve
and restore the important Blue Carbon habitats within Northern
Ireland's territorial waters.
In launching the Fund, Minister Muir said: “I am
pleased to announce the opening of the £3.25m Marine Environment
and Fisheries Fund for Northern Ireland with immediate effect. As
the funding has been secured on a “one-year settlement” basis
only, I would encourage stakeholders to engage promptly with my
department in order that applications are submitted as soon as
possible as this funding must be utilised by 31 March
2026.
“In terms of what type of projects can be assisted, the
support is broadly consistent to the support offered through
recent marine and fisheries funding programmes. This year's
Programme has also been tailored to allow industry to seek
financial support to progress a number of areas that that they
have expressed to me in recent months as key and critical
priorities for industry. These including marketing, staffing and
crewing of operations and the longer-term economic, social and
environmental resilience of their operations. I would encourage
stakeholders to fully utilise the available funding to help
develop longer-term strategic plans and proposals on key issues
and priorities that could help shape the supported offered
through future funding schemes. This includes
fish processing and aquaculture operations.
“I would also encourage the submission of applications
that focus on investing in safer fishing
initiatives and operations, training and other investments
focusing on adding value and reducing operational costs.
Applications relating to innovative projects and
processes, marketing initiatives and research; more selective
fishing gear and practices, and commercial fishing port
infrastructure are also encouraged.”
The Minister continued: “My Department will be delivering
this Scheme in tandem with the progression of a longer-term
strategy for future fisheries support which, subject to funding
availability, will be reflective of the current focus and
concerns on resilience, sustainability, green growth, the blue
economy, and the appropriateness of current port and harbour
infrastructure for the years ahead.
“I am pleased that my Department is able to provide this
support in these challenging times and my officials remain happy
to offer help, signposting and guidance to potential
applicants.”
Further information on the scheme, including guidance notes and
how to apply is available on the DAERA website at: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/marine-environment-and-fisheries-fund-202526
or by contacting DAERA MFD Programme Support Branch at: MEFF.queries@daera-ni.gov.uk.
Notes to editors:
- In addition to the £3.25m grant funding available, a further
£1.1m earmarked funding from the NI Executive is allocated
towards the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute's costs
associated with annual fisheries data collection and the
Department's fisheries management and control operations.
- As a “one-year settlement” by HM Treasury, the funding must
be spent by 31 March 2026.
