Marine Management Organisation
The EMFF scheme is closed for any applications
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) reopened the scheme in May 2023 for a limited amount of funding which has now been allocated to projects.
Funding is currently available through the UK Seafood Fund to commercial fishing vessels to replace or modify their engines. Funding is available on a first come first served basis. To apply please check the webpages online at:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-the-uk-seafood-fund-infrastructure-scheme-round-3
The EMFF scheme in England opened for some applications on 18 January 2016 with the remaining Articles being opened on 23 May 2016. The 92.1m available budget and will provide funding for:
- assisting the fisheries sectors with the implementation of the reformed CFP including the Landing Obligation
- improving health and safety on fishing vessels
- improving the added value or quality of fish caught including use of unwanted catches
- investments in fishing ports, landing sites, auction halls and shelters
- processing of fishery and aquaculture products
- investments in aquaculture
- Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAG)
You can apply for funds to support the fishing and maritime sectors under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).
EMFF follows the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) and will run until 2020 or until all available money has been allocated. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) will accept applications for EMFF funding from early 2016.
About the EMFF
The EMFF is a European funding scheme which will support fisheries, inland waters, aquaculture and maritime sectors. The fund provides support for sustainable development within the fishing and aquaculture sectors and conservation of the marine environment, alongside growth and jobs in coastal communities. The purpose of the scheme is to provide European Member States with a financial support mechanism to the fisheries, inland waters, aquaculture and maritime sectors. The scheme will help reach economic, environmental and social goals and will enable European Member States to:
- help fishermen in the transition to sustainable fishing
- support coastal communities in diversifying their economies
- finance projects that create new jobs and improve quality of life along European coasts
- make it easier for applicants to access financing
The UK has 243 million (around 190 million) of the programme which is split between England (92.1 million), Scotland (107.7 million) Northern Ireland (23.5 million) and Wales (19.7 million).
EMFF priorities
The aims of the EMFF is structured around 6 priorities, each with several specific objectives. All of these are supported by specific measures.
Promoting sustainable, resource efficient, innovative, competitive and knowledge based fisheries
EMFF support under this priority will focus on innovation and added value that can make the fisheries sector economically viable and resilient to external shocks and to competition from countries not in the European Union. This will promote environmentally sustainable, resource efficient, competitive fisheries which are more selective, produce less discards, and do less damage to marine ecosystems. Projects that fall under this priority could be for:
- research and innovation in new technologies that increase the selectivity of gear
- energy efficiency improvements to fish processing technology
- restoration of marine ecosystems
Fostering sustainable, resource efficient, innovative, competitive and knowledge based aquaculture
Aims to ensure the aquaculture sector is environmentally sustainable, resource efficient and competitive, and help such businesses to become green, economically viable and competitive, while providing EU consumers with healthy and highly nutritional products. Projects that fall under this priority could be for:
- investment in technology which improves aquaculture potential
- sharing best practice on sustainable aquaculture
Fostering the implementation of the CFP
Supports the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) through the collection and management of data to improve scientific knowledge. This also supports the monitoring, control and enforcement of fisheries legislations.
Increasing employment and territorial cohesion
Aims to increase employment and promote economic growth and social inclusion in coastal and inland communities dependent on fishing. Projects that fall under this priority could be for:
- implementing community-led local development strategies though Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs)
Fostering marketing and processing
Aims to improve market organisation for fishery and aquaculture products, processing and marketing sectors. Projects that fall under this priority could be for:
- setting up Producer Organisations
- organising certification schemes to increase the value of catches
- investment in technology to increase opportunities to use by-catch
Fostering the implementation of the Integrated Maritime Policy
The Integrated Maritime Policy is a European policy which aims to provide a more coherent approach to maritime issues. It focuses on issues that do not fall under other sector-based policies and where coordination of different sectors is required. Projects that fall under this priority could be for:
- increased international cooperation in areas that support the overall aims of the policy
What EMFF funds can support
The fund provides support for sustainable development within the fishing and aquaculture sectors and conservation of the marine environment, alongside growth and jobs in coastal communities in the UK. You can apply for funding for things like:
- investments on board fishing vessels
- gear replacements
- improvements to shore-based facilities
- advisory services, partnerships, training and innovation
- investments in fisheries management and seafood processing
- investments in aquaculture, animal health and inland fishing
Later in 2016, you will be able to view and download a list of projects that have already been offered EMFF funds.
If you work in the fishing industry, you can apply for an EMFF grant to fund sustainable development and support growth and jobs in EU coastal communities.
The following organisations run the EMFF scheme:
- Marine Management Organisation (MMO) In England
- Marine Scotland In Scotland
- Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Northern Ireland (DARDNI) - in Northern Ireland
- Welsh government in Wales
Expression of interest form
You can use the Expression of interest form if you would like an initial assessment of the potential eligibility of your project before submitting a full application form through the online E system. Any advice you receive following an Expression of interest response is only an indication of potential eligibility and is not a guarantee of funding. No offers of funding will be made until after a full application has been submitted, assessed by MMO and approved and you have received an offer letter.
Funding you can apply for
To apply, you need to propose a project. There are 6 funding areas you can apply for.
Each grant has its own application form and its own guidance note. You should read the guidance note relating to your project type and the General Guidance note