Tue, 22 Jun 2021
Qualifying seafood businesses and fishing vessel owners in the Isle of Man are to receive further financial support.
A funding package of up to £285,000 has been provided, via a Scheme approved by Tynwald last week, to help the industry which has been faced with depressed market demand from the UK and Europe and increased export costs due to Brexit.
The amended Coronavirus Fisheries Industry Support Scheme (CFISS) will provide qualifying businesses and boat owners with support grants to help pay their fixed costs for a further 12 weeks, backdated to the 2 April and running until the 25 June. The scheme has now made £1.5m available to the industry since it was first launched in March of 2021.
The recent king scallop season, which provided regular work for fishermen and processors, closed on the 31 May and crews and businesses traditionally use June to prepare for the opening of the Queen Scallop season that begins in July.