Funding awarded to boost Northumberland fishing industry

And fishing communities stretching from Berwick down to North Shields are now being urged to make the most of the European funding available to them.

Among those to benefit from recent funding is the Northumberland Seafood Centre and Lobster Hatchery at Amble, which received £10,336 to purchase fish and shellfish processing equipment and solar panels.

Meanwhile, Warkworth Harbour Commissioners received £74,850 for a construction project on the quay at Amble.

It is hoped that a quick start can be made on the project, which will include new storage sheds, a fish agent facility and a crew room for the fishing community at Amble Harbour.

The North of Tyne Fisheries Local Action Group is responsible for considering applications and deciding how funding should be allocated locally.

Eligible projects can obtain between 50 to 80 per cent grant funding of the total project cost. The deadline to apply for funding is March 31, 2019, however project applications will have to be submitted before this date.

The funding can be used to support a range of projects including the development of small-scale infrastructure at ports and harbours; adding value to fisheries products, for example, through marketing, branding and processing; the retention and creation of jobs; aquaculture and marine-based industries; promoting cooperation and innovation; and enhancing and conserving the marine environment.

For more details, contact Simon Baxter by emailing [email protected] or calling 07825 121778.