Introduction

The Objective 1 Programme for Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly is a seven-year programme covering the period 2000 to 2006.

The Programme provides some £10.3m in FIFG grants to help the fishing industry to restructure. Around £5m of FIFG and DEFRA funding is available for the three years 2001/02 to 2003/04. Budgets are set on an annual basis and South West PESCA Ltd can tell you how much funding is available each year.

Eligibility criteria will be reviewed from time to time during the lifetime of the programme, so please contact South West PESCA Ltd for the latest guidance relevant to your project.

Qualifying projects

The criteria for grants can change throughout the life of the programme, so, whatever your project, it is always worth contacting South West PESCA Ltd to ask for advice and check the latest criteria.

Currently, FIFG grants can be considered for the following types of project:

CAPITAL GRANTS

	Modernisation of fishing vessels: • to improve product quality • to adopt sustainable catching methods • to improve crew comfort and working conditions
	Protection and development of aquatic resources for activities related to fixed or movable structures such as artificial reefs
	Improvement of fishing port facilities
	Processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products
	Aquaculture

REVENUE PROJECTS

	Product promotion
	Projects by members of the trade. These must be of collective benefit to the fishing industry such as projects by fish producer organisations
	Innovative measures including studies, pilot projects and demonstration trials

PRESS RELEASES

Non-eligible projects

Current criteria state that grants will not be available for the following projects (for further information see guidance notes and contact South West PESCA Ltd):

	construction of new fishing vessels
	purchase of second hand fishing vessels
	purchase of fishing quotas
	early retirement schemes
	non-fisheries activities such as diversification into tourism, retailing of fish and fish products and support for ancillary industries, such as boat yards. However, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) may be available to help you diversify into non-fisheries related activities. Further details are available from the Government Office for the South West at Mast House, Shepherds Wharf, 24 Sutton Road, Plymouth PL4 0HJ. Telephone 01752 635070

Grant Rates

Grant rates vary between types of project, but as a guide, private sector applicants can gain up to a 35% FIFG grant and 5% DEFRA grant (total 40%).

Public sector projects can gain up to a 75% FIFG grant rate.

HOW TO APPLY