Over £300,000 Flag Funding Still Available In Highland & Moray Fishing Communities

20th November 2018

Businesses and organisations are being encouraged to apply for funding through the Highland & Moray Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) as part of the European Maritime & Fisheries Fund. Funding can be used to support a wide range of projects that will boost the local economy and create jobs within the fishing, aquaculture and maritime industries including tourism and seafood sectors.

The Highland & Moray FLAG have approved 19 projects to date with funding of over £700,000 already committed towards a range of projects including harbour infrastructure improvements and small business grants. Recent project approvals include Balintore Harbour Users Group who will receive £13,159 towards the installation of a chiller and ice making machine to support the local fishing fleet.

Maureen Ross, said on behalf of Balintore Harbour Users Group: "We are delighted to have received FLAG funding towards a chiller and ice making facilities at Balintore harbour. The provision of these facilities will be of great service to our local fishermen who will now be able to store and preserve their catch until convenient to transfer to market. We see this project as the first phase of a number of developments we have planned for the harbour area ensuring we have a fit for purpose working harbour that is a valued community asset. We wish to also thank Highland Council for their support with this project."

Other awards include £11,801 to Durness community interest company Plastic@Bay to purchase a quad bike and trailer to help remove plastic pollution from the coastline including fishing gear which will be recycled and re-used in a variety of household products. Scottish Wildlife Trust will receive £15,535 towards a multi-purpose vessel to expand on their community engagement activities in the Ullapool area including snorkelling trips, marine research and marine litter clean-up events. Skye based tourism business SeaSkye Marine Ltd will receive £37,162 toward the purchase of a new vessel which will allow visitors to explore the remote west coast island of St Kilda.

The funding has been awarded under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund to encourage community-led local development and enable localised decision making though Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs).

The Highland & Moray FLAG membership is representative of local community and industry interests who will consider applications and decide how funding should be allocated locally.

The fund is open to sole traders, businesses (targeted at small and medium sized enterprises), community groups, harbour authorities and Fishermen's Associations located within Highland and Moray coastal communities.

To support the work of the FLAG a Development Officer is in place to help those wishing to apply to the fund. Sarah Lamb, Highland & Moray FLAG Development Officer said: "The FLAG have supported some fantastic projects to date. I would encourage anyone with a project in mind they think would suit the FLAG criteria to get in touch to discuss funding opportunities."

For further guidance and to obtain a copy of the Expression of Interest form please contact the EMFF Development Officer Sarah Lamb on 01955 608265 or email sarah.lamb@highland.gov.uk. Further information and a copy of the form can also be found at www.highlandmorayflag.co.uk