Press release
Minister McConalogue announces scheme to support the economic development of the inshore fishing fleet
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD is pleased to announce that he is putting a new scheme in place specifically to support and enable the economic development of the inshore fishing fleet.
An inshore census was conducted by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) in 2023, the analysis of which will be available shortly. This new scheme will build on this knowledge base by capturing additional detailed information in relation to the current market knowledge and routes to market being used by inshore fishers as well as their ability to identify and access new markets.
It will provide for the completion of a further survey by applicants, to inform and enable a detailed and comprehensive assessment of these aspects of the sector. This in turn will allow the Department and BIM to develop and target effective supports that will assist inshore fishers to respond to the market challenges they face.
Announcing this scheme, the Minister said:
“I have met with representatives of the inshore fleet on a number of occasions in the past year to discuss the challenges facing this fleet, in particular those affecting their ability to access markets. I had indicated previously at the Joint Oireachtas Committee meeting in June that I would be progressing a scheme specifically in response to these challenges. One of the challenges that we have faced when designing supports for the inshore fleet has been the gaps in the data and knowledge available to us. Once we have this additional data, we will then be able to target supports more effectively and support the continued economic viability of the inshore fleet in coming years.’
In order to encourage participation in the survey, and in recognition of the significant administrative work involved for those who do participate, the scheme will make provision for applicants to receive a payment, and the survey will be carried out in two stages.
Payments will be based on vessel length, and will be paid in two instalments, one on completion of each stage of the survey. Under the scheme, a total of €3,500 will be available to vessels under 8m in length, and a total of €5,000 to vessels between 8 and 17.99m in length.
The initial instalment will be €2,000 for eligible vessels on the completion of Stage 1 of the survey with the remaining balance on completion of Stage 2.
The Minister has asked BIM to develop and implement this scheme, which will be funded under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund. It is expected to open for applications in September 2024.
The Minister concluded:
“I was pleased to announce the opening of the Inshore Fisheries Scheme recently, which provides vital funding support to the inshore fleet for both on-board and on-shore investment, and the opening of the V-notching Scheme, which is an important conservation scheme for inshore lobster fisheries. This new scheme will complement these schemes, providing the support needed to assist the fleet in developing and accessing markets, and getting a fair price for their catch.”
Once the scheme is opened, details will be available on www.bim.ie
ENDS
Notes for Editors
This new scheme will involve a survey that will seek to gather data in relation to the following:
Market and Economic Factors
1. Fish Prices and Market Trends
• Average selling price per species.
• Seasonal price variations.
• Factors influencing price changes (e.g., demand, supply, weather conditions).
2. Market Access
• Distance to primary markets.
• Access to market information (e.g., prices, demand trends).
3. Market Chains and Distribution
• Intermediaries involved in the fish supply chain.
• Points of sale (local markets, export).
• Efficiency of the supply chain.
4. Cooperatives and Collective Action
• Participation in fishing cooperatives.
• Benefits and challenges of cooperative membership.
• Cooperative activities (e.g., joint marketing, shared resources).
Social and Institutional Factors
5. Transportation and Logistics
• Availability and condition of transportation facilities.
• Transportation costs and their impact on profitability.
• Issues related to logistics (e.g., road conditions, vehicle availability)
6. Credit and Financial Services
• Access to credit and financial services.
• Sources of credit (e.g., banks, cooperatives, informal lenders).
• Terms and conditions of loans (interest rates, repayment schedules).
Socio-Economic and Demographic Data
7. Demographic Information
• Age, gender, and educational background of fishers.
• Household size and composition.
• Alternative sources of income.
Technological and Innovative Practices
8. Use of Technology
• Adoption of new fishing technologies and practices.
• Use of GPS and other tracking devices.
• Impact of technology on fishing efficiency and sustainability
9. Social Media and Digital Marketing
• Use of social media for marketing fish products.
• Effectiveness of online platforms in reaching consumers.
• Training and support for using digital tools.
European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF)
The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) is a €258 million programme, co-funded by the EU, and is Ireland’s principal source of development funding for the seafood sector in the coming years.
The EMFAF Programme for Ireland was approved by the Commission in December 2022, and will ensure continuity of the valuable supports provided to the sector under both its predecessor the €240m European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) and the BAR funded schemes implemented between 2021 and 2023 on foot of the Seafood Task Force Report. It was launched by Minister McConalogue in February 2024.
EMFAF supports the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), the EU maritime policy and the EU’s international commitments for international ocean governance. Such support is an enabler for sustainable fisheries and the conservation of marine biological resources, for food security through the supply of seafood products, for the growth of a sustainable blue economy and for healthy, safe, secure, clean and sustainably managed seas and oceans.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is the Managing Authority for the EMFAF programme in Ireland. BIM, the Marine Institute and Bord Bia have been implementing work programmes funded under EMFAF, which provide a wide range of supports necessary for the ongoing development of the sector, such as data collection, research and the promotion and marketing of Irish seafood. BIM, on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, also administers a number of schemes to support industry.
Further information in relation to EMFAF is available at: European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund - EU Funds.