The UK European Fisheries Fund (EFF) was launched on 15 September 2008. There is £111m funding available for the UK of which there is just over £38 million for England. Cornwall has been allocated £8,178,141.
The programme opened to EFF project applications on 15 September 2008.

The types of project eligible for grant include:

* Modernising fishing vessels - e.g. to reduce discards, improve gear selectivity and minimise environmental impact. Not to increase catching capacity.
* Improving product quality.
* Investment in aquaculture and diversification of farmed species.
* Marketing fisheries products.
* Improvements to processing and port facilities.
* Pilot and collective actions by industry.
* The development of sustainable fisheries.
* Development support towards fisheries-dependent communities.

View EFF application forms and guidance notes
Marine and Fisheries Agency website

Full details of the scheme together with assistance for applications is available from:

Steve Bailey: Local Area Facilitator (for assistance with applications)
South West Region: From the Isles of Scilly to Bristol and Hampshire border
London: All national and cross-regional projects

07876 035733 or 01503 240384
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The UK has £111 million for the duration of the programme*. The money is divided between each of the UK administrations as follows:
Scotland nearly £44 million; England just over £38 million; Northern Ireland just over £14 million; and Wales just under £14 million.England's

Financial Allocations

In England, the £38million is broken down as follows:

Axis 1 - Measures for the adaptation of the Community fishing fleet
England:
£10,539,672 (€13,365,358)
of which Cornwall:
£2,822,685 (€3,579,448)

Axis 2 - Measures for investments in aquaculture and processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products
England:
£3,994,097 (€5,064,915)
of which Cornwall:
£1,127,510 (€1,429,796)

Axis 3 - Measures of common interest
England:
£11,041,024 (€14,001,123)
of which Cornwall:
£3,246,568 (€4,116,973)

Axis 4 - Measures of the sustainable development of fisheries areas
England:
£2,851,063 (€3,615,433)
of which Cornwall:
£776,924 (€985,217)

Axis 5 - Technical assistance
England:
£1,191,042 (€1,510,360)
of which Cornwall:
£204,454(€259,268)

TOTAL
England:
£29,616,898
€37,557,188

of which Cornwall:
£8,178,141 (€10,370,701)

Due to exchange rate fluctuations the sterling amounts are subject to change.

The next EFF Grants Selection Panel was to be held on 28th January 2008. The submission date has now passed.

The EFF Grants Programme is open all year round for receipt of applications. Depending on the type, size and cost of a project, a decision will either be considered by the Selection Panel (which is likely to meet three times a year) or for smaller projects by the Business Relations Team in the MFA on an ongoing basis.

Dates have now been set for a further two selection panel meetings in 2009: 21st May (applications must be received by Wednesday 25th March) and 30th September (applications must be received by Friday 31st July).

Operational Programme

The European Fisheries Fund (EFF) is intended to help secure a sustainable and profitable fisheries industry. It will grant financial support during the period 2007 to 2013, with a view to help the industry adapt to changing circumstances.

Council Regulation (EC) No 1198/2006 (the "EFF Regulation") requires Member States to draw up Operational Programme and this has to be approved by the Commission.

Guiding principles for the development of the Operational Programme, and information on the content of it, are set out in the EFF Regulation.

The UK Operational Programme for the EFF contains a detailed analysis of the fisheries industry, the strategy and objectives, the summary of the ex ante evaluation, details on each priority axis, the finance available, and the implementing provisions.

Projects which cover more than one country in the UK and are funded by more than one Administration, will operate under a streamlined and co-ordinated application process.

Applicants for cross-border and pan-UK projects will need to make only one application which will be submitted to the Administration where the applicant's business or organisation is based.

On receipt of pan-UK applications, the relevant Administration will contact the Marine and Fisheries Agency (who act as the UK Managing Authority for the EFF) to co-ordinate agreement on which Administration should lead the project and on where the funding should come from.

Each Administration required to fund the project will apply its own selection criteria when assessing the application. The lead Administration will be responsible for co-ordinating the end to end process of the pan-UK project and will be the point of contact for the applicant throughout the life of the project.