Fahey announces €6M injection for Fishing Fleet

Six young fishing skippers are to acquire their first vessels in the first round of approvals under the Government’s Fishing Fleet Development Programme announced today by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources Frank Fahey TD.

Minister Fahey said, "I am particularly pleased that this programme kicks off by assisting six young enterprising skippers to acquire their first fishing vessel and get a foothold in the industry". "These young people represent the future of the sea fishing industry and I hope more will follow and apply for assistance under the Government’s fleet measure", he added.

A total investment of over €6M will also see the modernisation of a further twenty two vessels and assistance for a further skipper to purchase a modern second hand vessel. The investment is backed by almost €1.1M in Government and EU grants and is the first tranche of approved projects under the Young Skippers, modern second hand vessel and vessel modernisation elements of the Government’s NDP Fleet Development Programme.

"The first round of approvals under the modernisation scheme encompasses vessels of all sizes and from ports right around the coast", said Minister Fahey. "The Government’s fleet development measure is assisting in modernising and upgrading of these 22 vessels to improve operational efficiency and the safety and working conditions of their skipper and crews", he added.

Of the Young Skipper scheme approvals, two are for projects based in Kerry, two in Louth and one each in Donegal and Sligo. Each of the young skippers will be assisted in the purchase of a modern second hand vessel with Government and EU grant aid. A further skipper based in Co Kerry will also be assisted, through a Government grant to purchase a similar vessel.

Of the first round of modernisation approvals 9 are for vessels based in Cork, 3 in Louth, 2 each in Galway, Sligo, Donegal and Dublin, and one each in Kerry, and Wexford.

The modernisation investment will assist in upgrading machinery, equipment, propulsion systems, electronic and electrics systems, hull and deck structures, shelter deck structures, fish hold and refrigeration systems, accommodation and other items.

The Young Skipper, Second-hand vessel and modernisation schemes are vital elements of the Governments £95M Fishing Fleet Development Measure under the NDP 2000-2006. The schemes are administered by BIM. Applications for assistance under further tranches of the schemes can be made to BIM once a call for projects has been announced in the Trade Press.