Funding schemes | UK seafood industry | Seafish

Funding schemes for the UK seafood industry

This page has information on grants and funds that are available to UK seafood and marine businesses and organisations.

Most of the funding and grant schemes on this page are not administered by us at Seafish and we have not included every scheme available. For more funding information, contact the Industry Engagement managers listed below. 

Funding from Seafish 

We can offer some funding for workers and businesses in the seafood industry to do a variety of training courses.

For more information about onshore training courses, visit our onshore training webpage.

For more information about training courses for the fishing industry, visit our seagoing training page. 

A group of fisherman in a classroom participating in onshore training
Classroom and online learning is available.

UK-wide funding from governments and bodies

UK Seafood Fund

In 2021, The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) gave £100 million to a UK-wide funding scheme called the UK Seafood Fund.  

This fund is in place to support the UK fisheries and seafood industries and covers four areas: 

  • Science and Innovation 
  • Infrastructure 
  • Skills and Training
  • Export support

The Science and Innovation and Skills and Training funds have no closed. The infrastructure fund is open until December 2023.

A woman in PPE is working at a seafood processing factory putting fish fillets on a conveyer belt.
Investment in seafood processing is available through the UK Seafood Fund Infrastructure pillar

Infrastructure scheme
At least £65 million in grant funding is available through the infrastructure scheme. The scheme funds projects that build capacity across the UK fishing sector supply chain. 

Relevant to: Any business and organisation looking to invest in ports, processing or aquaculture infrastructure. Round 3 is open until December 2023 and is focused on fleet modernisation through engine replacements. 

Organisation responsible: Defra

Follow the link below for more information and to apply:

Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) fund

A £77m fund from the Department of Transport to help decarbonise the UK's maritime sector. This is a match funding research and development scheme. 

Relevant to: Fishing associations, operators and groups. Examples of technology include battery electric vessels, shoreside electrical power and running on low carbon fuels like hydrogen or ammonia.

Organisation responsible: Department for Transport/UK SHORE

Follow the link below for information and how to apply on the Government website:

England-specific Funding 

Fisheries and Seafood Scheme (FaSS) 

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) administers the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme. The Fisheries and Seafood Scheme  is now closed for new applications. A modified version of the scheme is expected to commence in 2024.

The scheme aims to deliver investment to safeguard the long-term sustainability, resilience and prosperity of the seafood sector across England.

It offers financial assistance for projects that support the development of the catching, processing and aquaculture sectors, and for projects that enhance the marine environment. 

Relevant to: Organisations and vessels registered in England.

Organisation responsible: Marine Management Organisation

More information: Further information is available on the FaSS website and the MMO website.

Gavin Hatton
Industry Engagement Manager – Humberside & East England
t:
+44 (0) 1472 252300
m:
+44 (0) 7871 310331

Scotland-specific Funding 

Marine Fund Scotland (MFS) 

The Marine Fund Scotland (MFS) is administered by Marine Scotland. There is currently no funding streams open. We will update this page when any future MFS schemes open. 

Other funds available

For more information on other funds available in Scotland, get in touch with:

Jess Sparks
Industry Engagement Manager - Scotland
t:
+44 (0) 1358 729609
m:
+44 (0) 7876 035753
Safety training in an indoor swimming pool
Fishing safety training in Scotland is supported by funds from the Marine Fund Scotland.

Northern Ireland-specific Funding

Maritime Fisheries Fund NI 

For marine businesses in Northern Ireland, there is a £14 million fund called Maritime Fisheries Fund (NI) (MFF(NI)). This is controlled by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).  

This fund offers grants for projects in Northern Ireland and is split between: 

  • Investment on board Fishing Vessels. 
  • Fishing Vessel Energy Improvements and Re-engining. 
  • Aquaculture, Processing and Marketing. 
  • Investments to Shore Based Facilities. 
  • Partnership, Information Sharing, Advisory Services, Job Creation and Training.

The MFF funding programme for 2022/23 has now closed. We will update this page when future funds open.

More information: Follow this link to the MFF(NI) website. Follow this link to the DAERA website.

Other funds available

For more information on other funds available in Northern Ireland, get in touch with: 

Sally Chamberlain
Industry Engagement Manager - Northern Ireland
m:
07866 141 872

Wales-specific Funding 

The European Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF)

Wales’ fishing community is being invited to submit applications to a £1m fund to primarily help mitigate the ongoing impact Covid is having on the industry and adapt to the rapidly changing market conditions for seafood products.

The deadline for applications to Rural Payments Wales is 25 March 2023.

More information: Details of the European Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF) programme and scheme guidance can be found on the Welsh Government website at European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.

The long term EMFF replacement scheme is currently being developed and is expected to be available later this year. 

Other funds available

For more information on other funds available in Northern Ireland, get in touch with: 

Noemi Donigiewicz
Industry Engagement Manager - Wales
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