Grants to attract new blood to fishing sector

YOUNG fishermen can avail of a grant to cover 15% of the cost of buying a boat under a Government scheme to bring “new blood” into the sector.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney unveiled the new “Special Assistance for Young Fishermen” scheme during a weekend visit to BIM in Castletownbere, Co Cork.

Fishermen under 40 years of age who have not previously owned a fishing vessel can avail of grant aid up to 15% (up to a €50,000 limit) of the purchase cost of a second-hand whitefish vessel.

Mr Coveney said: “New blood and fresh thinking are essential for the ongoing development of any industry. This scheme will assist and enable young fishermen who have a proven track record within the sector to set themselves up as managers of their own vessels, set their own targets and goals, and hopefully impart their knowledge to those they take on to work with them.”

The minister also announced €84,000 in grant aid for seven seafood companies in the Cork area under the BIM Seafood Value Adding Scheme. The grant aid underpins an overall investment of €213,500 in the area.

Grants of €12,000 were awarded to Ballycotton Seafood, Sofrimar, Kerry Fish, Keohane’s Seafood, Beara Seafoods, Charlie Vial Fish Merchants, Irish Atlantic Abalone, Artic Fish Processing, Fastnet Catch, Good Fish Processing, Kush Shellfish, and Galway Bay Seafoods. The other recipients were Kilmore Fish (€11,992), Dr Brun (€7,280), and King Fish (€11,800),

The minister requested that BIM begin a survey of the Castletownbere area to determine the level of seafood activity in the area and establish its economic importance for the region. BIM estimates that another €50m in value-added seafood sales can be created by 2012. The opening of BIM’s Seafood Development Centre in 2009 has encouraged significant uplift in new product development and innovation, with 178 seafood companies availing of its services in 2010.

* For more on the BIM Seafood Value Adding Scheme, visit: www.bim.ie