Flying the FLAG for fishing

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1955

£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 EEF 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 one 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.

CDC chief executive, Suzanne Bond, said: “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.”

Paul Trebilcock, chief executive of Cornish Fish Producers Organisation added: “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.”