The European Fisheries Fund (EFF) programme succeeds the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG), which closed to new applications in 2007.
The EFF programme, like FIFG, will be targeted to assist with capital investment in the aquaculture, fishing and fish processing industries. The programme can also support strategic trade initiatives, fisheries dependent communities and Scottish Government and European Community policy initiatives for the sustainable development of fisheries.
Scotland has secured the lion's share of the UK's EFF allocation, approximately £12m for the Highlands and Islands and around £26m for the rest of Scotland.
Eligible applicants will include individuals, companies, trade and public bodies that have a direct interest in commercial fisheries.
A general EFF information leaflet can be downloaded here.
Funding schemes will support sustainable development of:
The current priorities for funding are:
- Innovation. For example, in the reduction of discards and improved selectivity in the catching sector or support diversification into new farmed or cultivated species or improvements in containment
- Fuel and other efficiencies to contribute to a sustainable future for Scotland's catching, farmed and fish processing sectors
- Added value through the fisheries industry with a particular focus on fish processing
EFF News
The European Commission approved the UK's EFF Operational Programme on September 9, 2008. The Scottish EFF Programme is now open to applications.
Applications should be emailed to EFF.ScottishGovernment@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or posted to:
Fisheries Grants Team
Room 420
Pentland House
47 Robb's Loan
Edinburgh
EH14 1TY