The Fisheries and Seafood Scheme (FaSS) is marking its three-month anniversary since reopening for applications, having already committed over £1 million to projects aimed at strengthening England's fishing and seafood sectors. The scheme, administered by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), is funded through the broader Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, which has pledged over £132 million over the next five years.
Since its relaunch on 13 April 2026, FaSS has seen significant interest, leading to the rapid allocation of funds. The MMO is now actively encouraging more small-scale operators and individual fishers to come forward and apply, highlighting that £6 million of the available funding has been specifically ring-fenced for the Small Scale Coastal Fleet. Support is also being offered to first-time applicants to assist them through the application process.
The scheme is designed to support a diverse range of activities across the fishing, aquaculture, seafood processing, and marine conservation sectors. Eligible projects include improvements to shore-based facilities, cooperative ventures, energy efficiency upgrades for vessels, health and safety enhancements, and initiatives focused on environmental conservation and restoration. Funding can also support diversification efforts and the creation of new income streams within coastal communities.
This year's funding priorities are focused on labour and workforce development, fostering community partnerships, and enhancing critical infrastructure. Projects with a grant value of £250,000 or more are subject to review by a dedicated funding round panel. The next deadline for these higher-value applications is Friday, 4 September 2026, with an additional panel date added for Friday, 13 November 2026, to provide more opportunities for substantial projects. Applications for projects below £250,000 will continue to be assessed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Paul Errington, Acting Director of Finance at the MMO, commented on the positive uptake, stating that hundreds of applications had been received and funding approved across England. He particularly urged small-scale operators and fishers to consider applying, emphasising the availability of funding and support for navigating the application process. The overall Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund is intended to be a multi-year scheme, with a total value of £304 million over 12 years, with around £132 million expected to be allocated up to the financial year 2030 to 2031.