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European Funding boost for local fisheries

Harbours and fish producers in Northumberland have received a funding boost of over £100,000 from the European Fisheries Fund.

£46,000 of the money was split between Lindisfarne Oysters, Swallow Fish and L Robson and Sons, who will put the money towards processing equipment, wile the remaining £57,000 will go towards improving harbours in Seahouses and Amble.

This news is a double celebration for Lindisfarne Oysters, who recently received an additional £32,000m in funding, which will now increase production on the farm by 100,000 oysters annually. It will also allow oyster farming to continue on Holy Island, which was originally established by monks in the 1300s.

Christopher Sutherland of Lindisfarne Oysters believes the latest grant will now help to significantly improve the plants infrastructure.

He commented: “When I first took over the farm from my father in 2003 the number of oysters we produced was very low, but we’ve continued to build our knowledge and skills and hope to eventually produce up to 250,000 by 2013.

“This is the second grant we’ve received through European funding schemes, the first was in 2007 for a specialist oyster boat, which made the process of farming the oysters significantly easier.”

The money to help the local harbours will also be of benefit to all three businesses awarded funding, and will allow them to continue to source and offer local fish.

The European Fisheries Fund, which is due to run until 2013, will invest around £138 million in the English Fishing Industry to help it adapt to chancing circumstances.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .