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DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has announced that the Marine Environment and Fisheries Fund for Northern Ireland is now open for applications.

The Fund provides £3.05m in financial support for fishing, aquaculture and wider marine stakeholders and is available until 31 March 2027.

The support package is designed to deliver benefits across the fishing sector, including fishers, processing and aquaculture businesses, port authorities, inland fishers and stakeholders with environmental interests. This will support projects that positively impact on green-growth, decarbonisation within the fisheries sector, supporting longer-term progress towards a net-zero industry. This financial assistance also aims to preserve and restore the important Blue Carbon habitats within Northern Ireland’s territorial waters

Launching the Fund, Minister Muir said: “I am pleased to announce the opening of the Marine Environment and Fisheries Fund for Northern Ireland. As the funding has been secured on a ‘one-year settlement’ basis only, I would strongly encourage stakeholders to engage promptly with my Department and submit applications as early as possible, as all funding must be utilised by 31 March 2027.

“The types of projects eligible for support are broadly consistent with those assisted under previous marine and fisheries funding programmes. However, this year’s scheme also reflects the priorities that have been raised with me in recent months. These include strengthening the longer‑term economic, social and environmental resilience of operations across the sector.”

The Minister continued: “My Department will deliver this funding alongside the development of a longer‑term strategy for fisheries. This approach will maintain a strong focus on enhancing resilience, sustainability, green growth and the wider blue economy.

“I am pleased that my Department is able to provide this support in these challenging times. My officials are also available to offer help, signposting and guidance to potential applicants.”

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