The Objective 1 Fisheries Programme, facilitated by South West Pesca Ltd has awarded a grant for over £40,000 to Penwith District Council to employ a Newlyn Fisheries Project Officer.

Members of the Newlyn Fish Industry Forum (NFIF) will be called in by the Council to help them recruit this new Officer. The Forum will be working closely with the Officer for 12 months to make sure that the projects as identified in the Newlyn Strategy are implemented.

Michael Galsworthy, Chair of the Newlyn Fish Industry Forum commented "This grant is outstanding news and really signals the first significant step in the implementation of the Newlyn Regeneration Strategy. Of course there is a long haul still ahead, but I have every confidence that with the focused commitment of the NFIF, the understanding and sympathy of the South West RDA and maintained support of the Objective 1 Fisheries Task Force solid progress will be made. The story of this soul project is how to regenerate and sustain a peripheral coastal community dependent on a single industry and with absolutely no economic hinterland. This whole scheme allows us to broaden and strengthen the economic base of Newlyn."

Jim McKenna, Chief Executive Penwith District Council added "The fish industry forum is different because all elements of the public and private sector locally are working together towards a single vision. This funding is an important first step towards the regeneration of Newlyn and demonstrates the face that the South West RDA and Government Office for the South West has in our work. We firmly believe that the Cornish fishing industry centred in Newlyn has a very exciting sustainable future."

Clare Leverton, Objective 1 Fisheries Programme Manager stated "This grant is the first towards achieving the projects within the Strategy and means that many more can be brought before the Fisheries Objective 1 Programme as soon as possible. The regeneration of Newlyn is considered a very high priority by the Fisheries Task Force because Newlyn contributes so much to the fishing industry in Cornwall."