Leading Journal of the Irish & UK Fishing Industries

Following the recent announcement by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, T.D, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) has today (Tuesday, May 19th) launched a temporary voluntary fleet tie-up scheme for segments of the Irish fleet.

The scheme—which has been “designed to assist in adjusting the supply of fish coming onto a market that is currently depressed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and protect quota availability for later in the year”—will be implemented under Ireland’s European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programme 2014-20, co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Commission.

Vessels that are eligible vessels will be supported to voluntarily opt to tie up for one or two months, during June, July & August. The two-month period does not necessarily have to be for consecutive months. For instance, the tie-up period could be June and August.

The level of supports being offered as part of the scheme have, however, met with a cool response from the industry since announced.

The scheme offers support from €500 per month for a maximum of two months for the smallest vessels (under 6 metres in length) to €6,000 per month for a maximum of two months for the largest vessels (over 24 metres).

It will be available to a maximum of 66% of the fishing fleet, in the different size categories, in any one month “to ensure that the food chain is maintained and that there is continuity of supply to the limited markets available.”

The closing date for applications for June is 5pm on Wednesday, May 27th. Applications for July and August will be accepted up until June 20th and July 20th respectively.

Any vessel not receiving support to tie-up in any month due to over-subscription to the Scheme may opt to tie-up for one or two of the following months. Applications to the Scheme can be made online at https://bim.flexigrant.com/

 

The following grant aid is applicable by vessel size:

Size of vessel Payment over 1-month tie-up period Payment over 2-month tie-up period
> 24m €6,000 €12,000
18 < 24m €4,600 €9,200
15 < 18m €2,000 €4,000
12 < 15m €1,900 €3,800
10 < 12m €800 €1,600
8 < 10m €750 €1,500
6 < 8m €500 €1,000
<6m €500 €1,000

 

Photo Credit: Cathal ó hUallacháin