Seafood leaders in Grimsby have welcomed a 拢75 million commitment to the industry from government.
Infrastructure, supply chains, jobs and skills are being targeted with funding as Westmister follows through on commitments made during Brexit.
It brings a continuation of support pots to fishing communities post exiting the EU, with science and innovation pledges enthusing one of the most advanced and concentrated clusters in Europe.
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Martyn Boyers, chief executive of Grimsby Fish Market, said: 鈥淭he emphasis on science, with much more technology in the industry now, is encouraging as Grimsby is one of the best places to be for innovation with the biggest and best factories in Europe here.
鈥淚t should be of interest to quite a few companies on the Humber.
鈥淭here are also opportunities for ports to improve infrastructure, and we鈥檙e looking at opportunities we have. It is all very positive and encouraging, an opportunity for progressive businesses that are still doing well.鈥
Weighing, grading and ice distribution facilities may be looked at when the detail of this week鈥檚 announcement emerges, building on processing and retailing operations added to the 25-year-old site in recent years.
鈥淲e have some plans we have developed,鈥 Mr Boyers said. 鈥淲e have always been progressive and have had our fair share of money. Hopefully there is the appetite and ambition to see beyond present uncertainty."
While trawling fleets may not be returning, the shellfish industry is seeing some investment with new vessels appearing for the near shore sector.
Simon Dwyer, Grimsby Fish Merchants鈥 Association secretariat and a leading figure on the Seafood Grimsby & Humber cluster board, said: 鈥淲e hosted the Defra funding team a couple of months ago and were able to share opinions around the three pillars of innovation, infrastructure and skills. Upskilling is a key priority for the cluster and we鈥檙e going to be liaising with our partners at the National Centre for Food Manufacturing to look at ways of leveraging funding.
鈥淲e are going to be encouraging the processing sector to see what opportunities exist for capital investment and expansion, but skills is a big thing. We鈥檝e started a 拢433,000 project and we are hoping to use that as a stepping stone to access the bigger funds.鈥
Digitalisation and automation are key strands, alongside traditional skills.
Government has said the investment will strengthen the sector鈥檚 ability to land more fish in the 海角视频 and take it to market faster.
It aims to improve the capacity and efficiency of harbours and processing facilities while boosting the long-term sustainability of the industry.
A 拢65 million infrastructure scheme will be made available for projects such as modernising ports and harbours alongside increasing capacity and efficiency at processing and aquaculture facilities. A competition will be run to identify the best projects, prioritising those that reduce carbon emissions, helping increase the sustainability of the sector and contributing towards the 海角视频鈥檚 commitment to reach Net Zero by 2050.
Up to 拢10 million will also be used to encourage new entrants into the processing, catching and aquaculture sectors, alongside training and upskilling current workers.
Environment Secretary George Eustice said: 鈥滱 year on from the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, a positive picture is emerging for our fishing industry. We are announcing a 拢65 million infrastructure scheme which will allow us to modernise ports and harbours and increase capacity and efficiency at processing facilities. A 拢10 million fund will encourage new entrants into the processing, catching and aquaculture sectors, and train and upskill those in the industry.
鈥淲e are committed to levelling up coastal communities across the 海角视频, and this marks a period of rejuvenation for our fishing industry.鈥
Defra said the infrastructure pillar will invest in the transition to renewable energy, with Grimsby - home to the 海角视频鈥檚 largest cluster of offshore wind farm operations bases - already developing plans to be an exemplar in green maritime.
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More sustainable fishing techniques are also being highlighted, working alongside offshore wind developments, with new, tailored courses in business management, mathematics and literacy, as well as courses on health, safety and wellbeing.
A further 拢1 million will be dedicated to promoting 海角视频 seafood.
Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Michael Gove, said: 鈥淭his multi-million pound investment will have a real and tangible impact on coastal communities across the country and the 海角视频 fish industry.
鈥淚t will support the creation of jobs and training opportunities that will help put the industry on a sure footing for the future. We are working hard to boost local communities and spread opportunity to every corner of the country as we level up the nation.鈥
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