Funding schemes for the UK seafood industry
Most of the funding and grant schemes on this page are not administered by us at Seafish and we have not included every scheme available. For more funding information, contact the Industry Engagement managers listed below.
We can offer some funding for workers and businesses in the seafood industry to do a variety of training courses.
For more information about onshore training courses, visit our onshore training webpage.
For more information about training courses for the fishing industry, visit our seagoing training page.
UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) Fund
Funding has been allocated to continue support for Research and Development into the decarbonisation of the maritime sector, including fishing.
The sixth round of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC6) is focussed on feasibility studies and will be open for applications until 16 April 2025.
The programme aims to fund eight-month feasibility studies and pre-deployment trials (factory trials) in clean maritime solutions. It will not fund demonstrations at ports or in UK waters.
More information can be found via the link below:
Relevant to: UK fishing sector
Organisation responsible: Department for Transport (DfT)
UK Seafood Fund
In 2021, The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) gave £100 million to a UK-wide funding scheme called the UK Seafood Fund.
This fund is in place to support the UK fisheries and seafood industries and covers four areas:
- Science and Innovation
- Infrastructure
- Skills and Training
- Export support
The fund objectives are to:
- reform and modernise infrastructure to level up and bring economic growth to coastal communities
- ensure the best science, research and technology is used in fisheries management
- encourage new entrants to the industry and upskill the existing workforce
- enable an environmentally sustainable fishing industry that gives most value for money and reflects the long term needs of the sector
- boost UK seafood exports to new and existing markets
There are currently no funding calls open to application.
Relevant to: UK fishing sector and seafood supply chain
Organisation responsible: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
The Welsh Marine and Fisheries Scheme aims to ensure sustainable growth in the sector and help coastal communities prosper. The indicative budget allocation for the current funding round is £1.4 million. This is broken down in to £700k capital and £700k revenue.
A wide range of activities can be supported through the scheme, including but not limited to:
- Funding to increase the potential of aquaculture sites and equipment on vessels aimed at reducing emissions and increasing energy efficiency;
- Professional advice for businesses ranging from marine environment sustainability to business and marketing plans;
- Applicants can also apply for funding for optional health and safety items on board vessels or land based.
The minimum grant award is £500, with the maximum grant award per application being £100,000.
The closing date for applications is 24 March 2025.
More information on the scheme, eligibility requirements and how to apply can be found via the following link:
Free independent support for applicants is available through a Welsh Fisheries Animateur Pilot project funded by Welsh Government in collaboration with the Welsh Fisherman's Association.
To access this support applicants can contact The Fisheries Animateur:
Tel: 01736 362782,
Text: 07864087119
Email: info@fishinganimateur.co.uk.
Other funds available
For more information on other funds available in Wales get in touch with:
Fisheries and Seafood Scheme (FaSS)
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) administers the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme. The Fisheries and Seafood Scheme is now closed for new applications.
The scheme aims to deliver investment to safeguard the long-term sustainability, resilience and prosperity of the seafood sector across England.
It offers financial assistance for projects that support the development of the catching, processing and aquaculture sectors, and for projects that enhance the marine environment.
Relevant to: Organisations and vessels registered in England.
Organisation responsible: Marine Management Organisation
More information: Further information is available on the FaSS website and the MMO website.
Other funds available
For more information on other funds available in England, get in touch with:
Marine Fund Scotland (MFS)
The Marine Fund Scotland (MFS) is administered and managed by the Scottish Government.
The latest information about the types of marine and fisheries grants available, types of projects that can be funded, and how you can apply can be found on the Government website.
For more information, please follow this link:
FindBusinessSupport.gov.scot
Find Business Support gives customers an overview of all funding and services offered by public sector organisations across Scotland, conveniently in one place. This makes it quicker and easier for businesses to find the information, advice and support they need, when they need it.
Information is available for businesses of all sizes – from start-ups to established companies, from sole traders to large enterprises, from commercial businesses to social enterprises.
For more information, please follow the link below:
Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund
The Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund (SMEEF) is a new financial tool designed to help bridge the nature finance gap.
We enable those interested in the health of Scottish waters to voluntarily contribute to grant pots which are then strategically distributed to projects across Scotland.
SMEEF funds projects that recover, restore or enhance the health of marine and coastal habitats and species from Shetland to the Borders.
For more information, please follow the link below:
Other funds
For more information on other funds that may be available in Scotland, get in touch with:
Marine Environment and Fisheries Fund
This fund is currently closed for applications.
More information: Follow this link to the MEFF website. Follow this link to the DAERA website, or get in touch with: