Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue has opened the Young Fisher Scheme to help industry workers under 40 buy their first vessels.
Grants of up to 40% of the cost of purchasing a vessel are available under this scheme, with some restrictions on the age and size of the vessels concerned.
“Without such a scheme, the cost of purchasing a vessel would be prohibitive for many who have the skills, knowledge and experience to build a successful long-term career in the fishing industry,” the Donegal Minister said.
Meanwhile, new entrants and those already employed in the seafood sector can apply for funding to train and upskill from seafood industry schemes administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), under the €258.4 million European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund 2021-27 (EMFAF).
Where the recent schemes announced by the Minister, which opened on June 25th and July 1st, provide supports to those who already own and operate fishing vessels, the Young Fisher Scheme is designed to support the purchase of a first fishing vessel. It is targeted at people who are under 40 years of age and who have demonstrated an interest in working in the industry and have gained the relevant skills and experience required, whether from working in the industry for at least five years or undertaking relevant vocational training.
The Young Fisher Scheme also supports the purchase of partial ownership of a fishing vessel.
This scheme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund 2021-2027 (EMFAF).
“This scheme will help to ensure the fishing industry remains an attractive choice for young people to work in. This scheme combined with other measures under the EMFAF programme, in particular the Seafood Training Scheme, will help generational renewal in the fishing industry and support its sustainability for the years to come. I am keen to see more young people getting involved in the fishing industry,” Minister McConalogue added.
This scheme is being administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) Ireland’s seafood development agency, and the scheme is open for applications from the 8th July 2024. All details are available on www.bim.ie.
