A new £1 million grant scheme opened yesterday to help seafood businesses in England increase the supply of local seafood to domestic markets.
For more information visit HERE
Due to the difficulties caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it has been decided to cancel the NIFCA Quarterly Meeting scheduled to be held at 1pm on 27th April. This decision has been made by the Authority in accordance with the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 – Statutory Instrument 2020 No.392.
NIFCA intends to hold its next public meeting as soon as possible upon the current Government restrictions upon movement being lifted, and it being safe to do so. Notice thereof will be given on the Authority website.
As matters stand, it is still the intention of NIFCA to hold our summer Quarterly Meeting as previously scheduled on Monday 27th July at 1pm, but further information regarding whether that meeting can proceed will be given on this website as soon as possible.
During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, NIFCA can still be contacted by phone and email and we will endeavour to deal with all correspondence and enquiries as soon as possible in all of the circumstances.
M H Hardy, CEO NIFCA
20th April 2020
The NIFCA Environmental Team are pleased to be able to share the 2020-21 ANNUAL RESEARCH PLAN. We hope you find it to be an interesting read.
More than 1,000 fishing and aquaculture businesses in England will receive direct cash grants through a fisheries support scheme announced today by Environment Secretary George Eustice and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Steve Barclay.
In the latest step to protect businesses affected by coronavirus, plans unveiled today mean that up to £9 million will be available for grants to eligible fishing and aquaculture businesses.
A further £1 million will be made available to support projects to assist fishermen to sell their catch in their local communities. This money will help fishing businesses find new ways to market and sell their catch while traditional markets are restricted, not only supporting the sector but also the local communities that depend on the industry.
Because the majority of fish they catch is usually destined for export, the English fishing fleet which catches fish stocks such as hake, scallops and crab, has been hit by the closure of traditional export markets and the reduction in demand from the hospitality sector.
The support scheme – which will run for up to three months – takes action to meet the immediate needs of the industry by helping English fishing and aquaculture businesses with their fixed costs such as such as insurance, equipment hire and port costs.
The measures will support English industry, in particular smaller fisherman, during this challenging time and follow an unprecedented package of financial support already announced for small businesses.
Further information can be found HERE
The Enforcement Team are pleased to release the NIFCA Compliance and Enforcement Strategy and the Enforcement Strategy Risk Matrix.
The two documents provide detailed information on the Enforcement Teams concerns and priorities to ensure the NIFCA aims are met.
Visit HERE for more information on welfare support currently available for fishers.