Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs)

Only projects located within 10km of the coast and located in a FLAG region are eligible. In exceptional circumstances the FLAG may consider projects outside this area where there is a clearly demonstrable economic benefit to specific individuals/businesses within the FLAG region.

Micro and Small Enterprises. (a maximum net turnover <€10 million and/or <50 FTE employee.)

Must be living or working within 10km of the coast, validated by proof of home/work address.

* Must not have a beneficial interest in any non-SSCF category vessel or enterprise. Must be actively fishing, validated by data held by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA).  Vessels less than 10m LOA: vessel has registered sales notes of at least €1,000 across the last two calendar years preceding the date of this application. Vessels between 10m and 12m LOA must show logbook fishing activity for at least 60 days across the two calendar years preceding the date of this application. Projects related to vessel, product or catch, which are not funded under any other EMFAF or BIM grant scheme. (Note that if an SSCF vessel owner does not meet the applicant eligibility criteria, or is doing a project other than the types listed above, they may still apply but as a Blue Economy Enterprise.)

Seafood enterprises (including non SSCF vessel owners)**

• Niche coastal tourism enterprises
• Marine sport and leisure enterprises
• Marine industry enterprises

**If the project is in support of the operations of a fishing vessel, that vessel must be actively fishing, validated by data held by the  Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA): Vessels less than 10m LOA: vessel has registered sales notes of at least €1,000 across the last two calendar years preceding the date of this application. All other vessels in this category must show logbook fishing activity for at least 60 days across the two calendar years preceding the date of this application. Projects which align with the scheme objectives and with the FLAG region’s Local Development Strategy (LDS).

Projects which align with the scheme objectives and with the FLAG region’s Local Development Strategy (LDS).

Must be a grouping recognised by the implementing authority (BIM) and must be registered with the Companies Registrations Office.

Must be registered with the Companies Registrations Office.

All projects must align with the scheme objectives and with the relevant FLAG region’s Local Development Strategy (LDS).

The support rates under this scheme are:

Each FLAG has developed a Local Development Strategy (LDS) specific to their regional needs. They will consider any investments in capital items and non-capital supports in the Blue Economy that are consistent with their LDS and align with the scheme objectives in fisheries, aquaculture and coastal communities.

The seven FLAGs regions are as follows. Grant rates and caps have been set by each FLAG Region, based on their local priorities.

Please click on your FLAG region to find further information;

Any expenditure incurred prior to date of acknowledgement of an application is ineligible.

Article 13 of the EMFAF Regulation sets out clearly certain measures/costs that are not eligible for funding, therefore this scheme may not provide funding for the following:

• Operations that increase the fishing capacity of a fishing vessel
• The acquisition of equipment that increases the ability of a fishing vessel to find fish
• The construction, acquisition or importation of fishing vessels
• The transfer or reflagging of fishing vessels to third countries, including through the creation of joint ventures with partners of third countries
• The temporary or permanent cessation of fishing activities
• Exploratory fishing
• The transfer of ownership of a business
• Direct restocking, except explicitly provided for as a reintroduction measure or other conservation measures in a Union legal act or in the case of experimental restocking
• The construction of new ports or new auction halls, with the exception of new landing sites
• Market intervention mechanisms aiming to temporarily or permanently withdraw fishery or aquaculture products from the market with a view to reducing supply in order to prevent price decline or to drive prices up
• Investments on board fishing vessels necessary to comply with the requirements under Union law in force at the time of submission of the application for support, including requirements under the Union’s obligations in the context of Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs)
• Investments on board fishing vessels that have carried out fishing activities for less than 60 days in the two calendar years preceding the year of submission of the application for support
• The replacement or modernisation of a main or ancillary engine of a fishing vessel.

In addition, the Managing Authority has further determined that the following costs are also ineligible for funding under this scheme:

• Projects which are eligible for funding under other schemes implemented under the Seafood Development Programme may not be funded under this scheme
• Applications by LEADER/Local Development Companies acting on behalf of a third party
• Applications where LEADER/Local Development Companies have a beneficial interest or a governing/managing/operational role
• Applications to co-fund a project where there is no separation of expenditure item or no stand-alone project
• Compensation for loss of income or additional costs
• Rental of machinery from another establishment
• Activities considered business operational costs
• The cost of existing product, stock or raw material used as part of the project
• Energy, maintenance and operational costs
• Industry standard costs such e.g. BRC
• Travel and subsistence costs (except for FLAGs and for capacity building projects)
• Second hand items
• Land costs
• Leasing costs
• VAT is not eligible for any applicant or Beneficiary to this Scheme
• Projects for which any statutory consent is required, where that consent has not been obtained.

• Intangible costs, such as the cost of pre-financing and of arranging loans and interest, administrative costs, patents, invitations to tender etc.
• Repair and maintenance work
• Like-for-like replacement of equipment
• Under no circumstances will grant aid be provided to replace any given item grant aided within the previous five years
• Any expenditure incurred before the date of acknowledgement of receipt of the grant application is ineligible
• Interest on debt, except in the form of an interest rate subsidy or guarantee fee subsidy
• Landscaping and other embellishment works, except those specifically required as a condition of planning & recreational equipment costs
• Vehicles for passenger transport
• Vehicles required for market distribution
• Materials which are normally written off within a year, including consumables
• Office equipment, including desktop computers, laptops and tablets
• Consultancy costs not directly related to the planning, preparation and execution of the project including costs of management consultancy.