A £10 million Seafood Innovation Fund has been launched to support research and development in the sector.
The thee year programme focuses on taking innovation to commercial viability, and is open to primary producers, onshore supply chains, fisheries and aquaculture that is either land or marine based.
To be administered by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), the open competition welcomes applications from all, with the stipulation that products must benefit the productivity of the seafood industry.
Director of corporate relations at industry organisation Seafish, Hazel Curtis, said: “In a time of great change for the 海角视频 seafood industry, innovation in technology, data and ways of working is needed to keep the industry thriving.
"This fund can create opportunities for industry to find solutions to some of the big challenges. It could be reducing by-catch in fishing, minimising environmental impact at sea or during production or innovations to reduce reliance on manual labour.
"Seafish ran a similar scheme a few years ago and we were impressed with the ideas and ambition by industry to make improvements. We are excited to see how this new scheme can drive things forward.”
Applications for collaborative projects that include both seafood sector organisations and technology businesses are encouraged, though it does not provide backing for existing commercial technology.
The administrators will be seeking a demonstration of long-term sustainability and environmental benefits.
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Simon Dwyer, Grimsby Fish Merchants Association secretariat, and a key driver of the Seafood Grimsby and Humber cluster, where more than 70 per cent of the fish consumed in the 海角视频 is handled, said: “Seafood processing companies are constantly seeking innovation in their businesses to satisfy their customer and ultimately the consumer.
“This research and development fund will drive the region to be at the forefront of cutting-edge innovation. Grimsby Fish Merchants Association will be encouraging it’s members, large and small, to take advantage of the Seafood Innovation Fund.”
The first call for applications for feasibility studies and larger R&D projects closes in early September 2019, and the second call will open in early 2020.
All applications must be submitted via the .
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