2nd March 2012: Flying the FLAG for Cornwall & Isles of Scilly

Over £1.13 million of European Fisheries Fund (EFF) money has been secured to support the sustainable development of fishing communities in Cornwall &
Isles of Scilly. The funding has been made available from the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) and DEFRA through the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), and is managed locally by Cornwall Development Company (CDC). It will be used by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) to maximise available private investment to build a sustainable future for local fisheries communities.

The FLAG area extends along the entire Cornish and Isles of Scilly coast, plus approximately 1 mile inland.

The fund will be available for projects to bid into for investment up to a maximum of 100% of total project costs, depending on the project activity and proposed outcomes. The decision making board will comprise of representation from the local community including fishing, private, public and voluntary sector organisations. The FLAG would like to hear from projects that will contribute to one or more of the following key themes:

1. Developing sustainable supply chains and market development
2. Providing infrastructure and communal facilities for fishing communities and cooperatives
3. Capacity building, cooperative development and networking
4. Training, retention and recruitment including diversification
5. Coastal communities, tourism and economic development
6. Advocacy and engagement for fishermen
7. Regional sustainable management engagement

Projects will have an on-the-ground support mechanism available to them from Cornwall Rural Community Council to aid development and help through the application process. The FLAG recognises that whilst the industry landed over £27m worth of catch last year, the changes it continues to face mean these communities, their residents and workers need a boost to support their well-being.

Suzanne Bond, Chief Executive of Cornwall Development Company, says “This fund recognises the importance of fisheries communities in Cornwall & Isles of Scilly. Driving forward the local economy is at the heart of CDC’s mission and the FLAG offers the means to invest in sustainable development at the community level.”

Alison Thompson, Director for the Marine Management Organisation said “I’m pleased that, through this scheme the MMO is providing support to local fishing communities, such as in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, to develop and implement their own sustainable solutions to the challenges they face. “The FLAG involves a wide range of representatives and we believe their combined knowledge, experience and ideas could make a real difference to the future of the local fisheries sector. This is reflected in the significant amount of funding awarded to them.”

Paul Trebilcock, Chief Executive, Cornish Fish Producers Organisation said “The involvement of the Cornish & Scillies fishing community in shaping the FLAG means that the benefits of the fund will have a real impact locally, regardless of the size of the project”.

Peter Jefferson Chief Executive of Cornwall Rural Community Council commented “This funding is a real opportunity for Cornish coastal communities to develop projects that will enable them to become vibrant, sustainable and inclusive, which is our aim as a charity”.

How to apply for funding:

Please read the FLAG Guidance Notes. There is a three stage application process. The Project Idea enables the Animateur to provide feedback; the Expression of Interest will provide the Board with an outline of your project. If that is approved, you will be invited to make a full project application, which will contain evidence of need or demand, risk assessment, cash flow forecasts etc. The FLAG board meets once every 2 months to consider projects so you should consider your project's timescales in line with this. The FLAG cannot pay for any work or defrayed money that has occurred before approval has been given.

Download the FLAG Guidance Notes here

Download the FLAG Project Idea Form here

Only Projects in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly can be considered and should be within 1 mile of the sea.

Project Assistance

We strongly advise that in the first instance you speak to the FLAG animateur who can provide you with advice, guidance and support in putting a project application together.

You can contact the FLAG animateur at Cornwall Rural Community Council. 2 Princes Street, Truro, TR1 2EF.

01872 243559

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

100% grant funding is available once again for fishermen to attend courses that make up the Under 16.5m Skippers Ticket,  HOWEVER, we cannot confirm that this funding will be available beyond March 2012.

Fishermen wishing to complete the short courses that make up the new skippers ticket are advised to contact us asap, in order to secure places on courses, as demand is likely to be strong between January and March 2012.

Dates are published on the "Course Dates" page as they are confirmed, additional dates are regularly scheduled according to demand, so drop us a line if you wish to be put on the list.

Experienced fishermen who completed mandatory basic safety training courses more than three years ago, will be able to voluntarily attend new, updated training courses in sea survival, fire fighting, first aid and safety awareness free of charge, for a limited time.

Experienced fishermen holding a Safety Awareness certificate who can evidence that they have already attended basic safety training courses more than 3 years ago will be accepted for funded refresher safety training. Each course can be refreshed individually as it becomes 3 years old.

Visit the "Course Dates" page for scheduled dates.

During the early part of 2012, Seafood Cornwall Training will be launching the new Seafish 3 Week Introduction to Fishing Course, aimed at new entrants to the fishing industry.

The course is designed to encourage new entrants into the fishing industry. It will ensure that new entrants are trained to a level higher than the minimum legal requirements, whilst equipping them with essential basic skills to begin working at sea, in a safe and useful manner.

Funding has been secured from Seafish and from the European Fisheries Fund to enable this training to be provided free of charge, to a limited number of candidates in Cornwall.