The Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, has announced a new scheme to support and promote the economic growth of inshore fishing in Donegal. This scheme comes as a positive development for the Donegal fleet, aiming to provide necessary assistance to address market challenges faced by inshore fishers.
Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) conducted an inshore census in 2023, and the analysis of the data will soon be available. The new scheme will further build on this knowledge base by gathering detailed information on current market knowledge, routes to market used by inshore fishers, and their potential to explore new markets.
Minister McConalogue highlighted the importance of this scheme in addressing the challenges faced by the inshore fleet, particularly in accessing markets. He emphasized the need for additional data and knowledge to design effective supports tailored to the specific needs of inshore fishers.
To encourage participation in the survey, the scheme will offer a payment to applicants, considering the administrative work involved. The survey will be conducted in two stages, with payments based on vessel length. Vessels under 8m will be eligible for a total of €3,500, while vessels between 8 and 17.99m will receive €5,000. The first installment of payment will be given upon completion of Stage 1, with the remaining balance after Stage 2.
Funded under the European Maritime, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Fund, the scheme is expected to open for applications in September 2024. Minister McConalogue also highlighted the recent opening of the Inshore Fisheries Scheme and the V-notching Scheme, which provide essential funding support for inshore fleet investments and lobster fisheries conservation, respectively. This new scheme aims to complement these initiatives, offering the necessary support for the inshore fleet to develop, access markets, and receive fair prices for their catch.
Overall, the support scheme for inshore fishing in Donegal is a crucial step towards enhancing the economic viability of the inshore fleet. By addressing market challenges and providing targeted supports, this initiative will play a significant role in ensuring the sustainability and growth of the inshore fishing sector in the years to come.