LONDON, July 2 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
The Fisheries and Seafood Scheme (FaSS) reopened on 13 April 2026 and is administered by MMOon behalf of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. It is funded from the over £132 million committed to theFishing and Coastal Growth Fundover the next five years.
Since reopening this year MMO has receiveda high levelof interest and already approved over £1millionof investment in projects.FaSSfunding is still available and following the positive response from industry, MMO is now encouraging more small-scale operators andfishermento come forward and apply.£6m of funding has been ring-fenced for theSmall ScaleCoastal Fleet andMMO is also offering support for first time applicants to help them through the application process.
The scheme is open to anyone involved in fishing, aquaculture, seafood processing, marineconservationor related environmental work. It can support a wide range of activities, including:
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Improving the resilience and sustainability of shore-based facilities
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Cooperative activities, building capability and advisory services
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Fishing related activities including energy improvements on a vessel
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Health and safety improvements
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Achieving good environmental status through the conservation and restoration of the marine environment
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Diversification and new forms of income
Applicants are asked to review the relevant guidance note for the type of project they are seeking funding for,beforesubmittingan application.
This year's priorities for funding rounds are labour and workforce development, community partnerships, and infrastructure.Applications with a grant value of £250,000 or morefor measures covered byfunding roundsmust be considered by the funding round panel.
The next panel deadlinefor projects over £250,000is Friday 4 September 2026. Anadditionalpanel date has been added, with a deadline of Friday 13 November 2026, giving high-value project applicants more opportunity tosubmit.All projects below £250,000 will be assessed on a first come first served basis.
Paul Errington, Acting Director of Finance at MMO, said:
We've seen an encouraging response to the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme, with hundreds of applications received and funding already approved for projects across England.We'reparticularly keen to hear from small-scale operators andfishermenwho may not have considered applying yet, this funding is here for you, and we can support you through the application process. We're also pleased to provide a new panel date for higher value submissions in November.
For more information and to apply, please visit: Fisheries and Seafood Scheme - GOV.UK
Please contact the grants team if yourequiresupport completing an application:
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Telephone: 0208 026 5539
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Email: FaSS.queries@marinemanagement.org.uk
The Fishing Coastal Growth Fund in England is intended tooperateas amulti‑yearfunding scheme, with a total value of £304 million over 12 years. Around £132 million is expected to beallocatedup to thefinancial year2030 to 2031.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
