Budget 2027 has provided an additional €20 million for fisheries and marine measures as part of the Government's spending package announced on Tuesday (6 October).
The additional allocation provides a Budget boost for Ireland's seafood sector at a time when fishing industry representatives have been pressing the Government for measures to improve the viability and competitiveness of the industry.
Seafood Sector Sought Budget Action
As Afloat reported in September, the Seafood Ireland Alliance (SIA) had called for Budget 2027 funding and policy measures to support the industry's long-term viability and to begin implementing commitments under Seafood Vision 2030.
The alliance represents Ireland's principal fishing producer organisations and seafood processors and had sought publication and implementation of the report prepared by the Food Vision Seafood Sector Group.
The group was established by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon and Minister of State with responsibility for Fisheries Timmy Dooley earlier this year.
Fishing Fleet Grant Schemes
The Budget announcement also comes as a series of grant schemes for the Irish fishing fleet are being reopened under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).
Three fisheries grant schemes highlighted by Afloat last month include support for young fishers buying their first vessel, small-scale coastal fishing businesses and investment aboard larger fishing vessels.
The Young Fisher Scheme opened on 30 September, while the Small-Scale Coastal Fishers Scheme opens on 14 October and the Sustainable Fisheries Scheme on 15 October.
The latter schemes include support for investment in areas including energy efficiency, catch handling, traceability, hygiene and health and safety.
Further Budget Detail Awaited
A detailed breakdown of how the additional €20 million fisheries and marine allocation will be distributed across the sector is awaited following Tuesday's Budget announcement.
Afloat will update this report as further details of the fisheries and marine measures in Budget 2027 are confirmed.
