The seafood industry is being urged to make the most of a funding pot to drive innovation and technology, while improving port infrastructure and supporting jobs.

A 拢37 million kitty has been opened by the Government for the fishing and processing sectors, with a further 拢1 million now available, allocated for lifesaving vessel safety measures.

The Maritime Fisheries Fund (MFF) is designed to ensure the fishing and seafood industry continues to thrive once the 海角视频 leaves the EU 鈥 potentially as soon as October 31.

Split between England (拢14.7 million), Scotland (拢16.5m), Wales (拢2.4m) and Northern Ireland (拢3.6m) it is money first announced last year.

Fisheries Minister Robert Goodwill tries his hand at fish filleting at Flatfish in Grimsby.
Fisheries Minister Robert Goodwill tries his hand at fish filleting at Flatfish in Grimsby.

As reported, the cash for lifesaving equipment was announced by Maritime Minister Nusrat Ghani in July.

A three-year fund, it builds on the government commitments made to the industry as Brexit has emerged.

Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers, said: 鈥淲e are taking back control of our waters and establishing the 海角视频 as an independent coastal state, with a fairer share of fishing opportunities for the whole of the 海角视频 fleet.

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Theresa Villiers.
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Theresa Villiers.

鈥淲e are committed to a thriving fishing and seafood industry, and this funding will support innovation, jobs, safety at sea and help establish new markets and opportunities as we leave the EU.鈥

The is open to applications that bring forward technologies to enhance economic growth, increase energy efficiency, reduce environmental impact and improve fishing safety; infrastructure that can allow more fish to be landed at 海角视频 ports and help take advantage of new opportunities and help the sector adjust to new arrangements by improving capacity and capability.

While a focus on fishing is clear with the bulk of the money heading to Scotland, with Peterhead now home to the 海角视频鈥檚 largest fishing fleet, there was a clear message to the land-based side of the industry too.

Seagold was established in 1996 as the 海角视频 marketing arm for Icelandic firm Samherji
Seagold was established in 1996 as the 海角视频 marketing arm for Icelandic firm Samherji

The Humber, and predominantly Grimsby , is the 海角视频鈥檚 largest single cluster, with 5,000 people employed, processing seafood - be it wild caught, farmed or shellfish - adding value and serving every major retailer and the foodservice sector.

Stating it 鈥渟its at the heart of the fish processing sector,鈥 Mrs Villiers said: 鈥淎s we leave the EU, we want to ensure this key sector in the region continues to thrive. That鈥檚 why we are opening this new fund today to support businesses who are looking to innovate, explore new market opportunities, enhance safety at sea, and make the most of what Brexit will bring. I hope they will apply.鈥

It is in addition to the existing European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, for which the government has already guaranteed that all projects approved before the end of next year will be fully funded, bringing the total support package available to the 海角视频 fisheries sector from 2016 to 2022 to 拢320 million.

Barrie Deas, chief executive of the National Federation of Fishermen鈥檚 Organisations, said: 鈥淚 would encourage all fishermen to look closely at this to see if it can help their businesses adjust to the new circumstances we will be operating under as the 海角视频 emerges as an independent coastal state.鈥