Funding boost ‘golden opportunity’

13 February 2019

PEOPLE in Ardglass are being encouraged to take part in a special event next week when funding opportunities under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund support programme will be outlined.

Ardglass Golf Club is the venue for an information session next Tuesday between 11am and 3.30pm, with the funding designed to support a broad range of projects that focus on promoting economic growth through job creation and social inclusion in coastal and inland communities which depend on fishing and aquaculture.

This includes the diversification of activities within fisheries and into other sectors of the maritime economy with the £2.4m funding cake being administered by the South East Area Fisheries Local Action Group (SEAFLAG).

The group comprises representatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors within the Newry, Mourne and Down and Ards and North Down council areas.

Downpatrick area Sinn Fein election candidate Jordan Madden is encouraging people to attend the event which he has described as a “golden opportunity” for the local fisheries, aquaculture and related maritime community to engage with the SEAFLAG group.

Mr Madden said the organisation was currently seeking expressions of interests from the local coastal community for applications to the European fund and hoped local people will apply.

He continued: “SEAFLAG was set up to initiate a community-led approach towards the sustainable development of fisheries areas and in June last year, a £2m fund was set aside to deliver community-led local development opportunities for Ardglass, Kilkeel and Portavogie.

“This represents a great opportunity for our local fisheries, aquaculture and related maritime community to engage,and discuss the potential in securing some of this valuable resources for the wider Ardglass coastal community.”

Projects eligible for financial support under the scheme must must demonstrate how they will impact on fishing dependent communities.

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