Seafood Training Scheme (Aquaculture)

The Training and Capacity Building Scheme is established under Union Priority 1 (Sustainable Fisheries) of Ireland’s Operational Programme under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund 2014 – 2020, co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Commission

Who is Eligible

To be eligible for training funding you must submit an application on bim.flexigrant.com before paying for your course.

Individuals or sole traders actively involved (either full-time or part-time) in the Irish fishing industry or production/processing of seafood may be eligible for support. This includes:

• Owners of Irish-registered fishing vessels
• Crew of fishing vessels
• Persons active in the aquaculture sector
• Persons working for Collective Organisations – formally structured and legally registered organisations representing stakeholders in fisheries, aquaculture or processing e.g.

[Castletownbere Fishermen’s Co-Operative Society Ltd

Clogherhead Fishermen’s Co-Operative

Foyle Fishermen’s Co-operative Society Ltd

Galway and Aran Fishermen’s Co-Operative]

• Persons working for Producer Organisations (POs) e.g.

[Irish South and East Fishermen’s Organisation

Irish South and West Fishermen’s Organisation

Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation

Irish Fish Producers Organisation

Irish Salmon Producers Group]

• Owners of, or persons working for, Irish seafood processing companies

Individuals wishing to enter the Irish seafood sector may be eligible for funding, but only for the BIM Deckhand Foundation Programme. Please note that individuals not eligible for funding under the Seafood Training Scheme may be eligible for funding under the Brexit Blue Economy Enterprise Development Scheme.

If you are a Seafood training provider your training programme(s) may qualify for funding. Please complete the evaluation form (pdf 460Kb)   The information provided will be used by the BIM Training Committee in reaching a decision on eligibility for funding.

What is Funded

Funding for training is available in the following areas;

• Commercial Fishing
• Fishing Vessel Engineering
• GMDSS Radio Communications
• Skipper Training
• Aquaculture
• Commercial Diving
• Safety, Health and Welfare at Work
• Seafood Processing

Eligible costs may include:

• Course fees
• Other charges levied on eligible beneficiaries by course providers e.g. exam fees
• Subsistence costs, at a daily rate (per diem) is available for some courses

The list of courses approved for funding, along with the maximum eligible costs per course, can be found here

Amounts Granted