Supports from Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) help seafood businesses grow sustainably through funding, training and expert advice across the fisheries, aquaculture and seafood sectors.
How can we help?
Bord Iascaigh Mhara
Select filters
Select filters
Business goals
Select type of Support
Select Business Size
17 supports based on your selections
Access funding for fisheries, aquaculture, and the seafood sector
Marine Tourism Safety Scheme
This scheme is intended to further improve the overall safety standards onboard Irish marine tourism vessels.
Owners of licensed marine tourism vessels less than or equal to 15 meters in registered length overall which operates in Irish coastal waters.
Access funding for fisheries, aquaculture, and the seafood sector
Inshore Fleet Economic Assessment Scheme
This BIM Service Project, under the EMFAF Inshore Fisheries Scheme, aims to gather data regarding the inshore fleet. The data collected through this project, along with the previous 2023 inshore census, will be used to shape further supports for the sector into the future.
Owners of fishing vessels which are registered on the Irish Register of Fishing Boats at the time of the application for support; Are less than 18m length overall (LOA); and have evidence of fishing activity registered with the SFPA for at least a total of 60 days during the two calendar years preceding the date of the application (this is evidenced through logbook data for vessels of 10m LOA or greater, and through sales notes of at least €1,000 per annum for vessels less than 10m LOA).
Applicants must ensure that logbooks/sales notes are registered with the SFPA. Neither BIM nor the SFPA can be held accountable for data not submitted. Note that invoices will not be accepted as proof of fishing activity.
Access funding for fisheries, aquaculture, and the seafood sector
Sustainable Fisheries Scheme
This scheme is designed for owners of non-Small Scale Coastal Fishers (SSCF) vessels, allowing onboard investments, with the following objectives:
- Improve quality
- Improve catch handling
- Enhance traceability
- Improve hygiene, health and safety
- Improve energy efficiency
Owners of non-SSCF fishing vessels:
- Which must be registered on the Irish Register of Fishing Boats at the time of grant application, and;
- who must have been actively fishing in the two calendar years preceding the year of submission of the application:
- For vessels less than 10m length overall (LOA) this will be validated by ensuring sales notes to the value of at least €1,000 have been registered with the SFPA in each of the two preceding calendar years.
- For vessels of 10m LOA or greater, this will be validated by ensuring log books registered with the SFPA show at least 60 days at sea in each of the two preceding calendar years.
Access funding for fisheries, aquaculture, and the seafood sector
Young Fisher Scheme
This scheme aims to help young fishers in Ireland access and buy their first fishing vessel. It offers grant support of up to 40%, capped at €250,000, and is designed to make the entry into vessel ownership more feasible. The scheme is part of efforts to renew the fishing workforce and ensure sustained participation of younger cohorts in Ireland’s seafood industry.
This scheme is open to individuals, or legal entities wholly owned by one or more individuals: Who are each under 40 years of age at the time of application. Who each has worked for at least 5 years as a fisher and is fully qualified to operate the vessel being purchased. Who is tax resident in Ireland, and has the right to live in Ireland.
Access funding for fisheries, aquaculture, and the seafood sector
Sustainable Aquaculture Scheme
Applications are invited for projects with any of the following objectives:
- Productive investments for sustainable aquaculture;
- Development of product innovation (including Integrated Multi-trophic Aquaculture, seaweeds and new species);
- Investment in reduction of energy use and energy efficiency;
- Investment in renewable energy systems;
- Investments in safety equipment;
- Investment in animal health and welfare;
- Food quality and hygiene safety.
This scheme will support aquaculture operators who have a statutory consent to engage in aquaculture and any necessary consent under the Foreshore Acts, and who are in compliance with the terms and conditions of those consents.
However, applications in respect of sites located in marine Special Areas of Conservation, designated in accordance with the European Union Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC)(as amended), and/or Special Protection Areas, designated in accordance with EU Birds Directive (2009/147/EC), that are awaiting a determination of an aquaculture licence application/renewal made under Section 10 of Fisheries Amendment Act 1997, will not be eligible under this scheme.
Access funding for fisheries, aquaculture, and the seafood sector
Seafood Capacity Building Scheme
This scheme supports industry members to participate in BIM-led international field missions with the objective of increasing industry knowledge or supporting technology transfer in the following areas: Sustainability, Fisheries conservation, Innovation, Competitiveness.
All field missions are designed and approved by BIM, and at least one BIM staff member accompanies each field mission.
Industry members operating in the fisheries, aquaculture, aquatech or seafood processing sectors.
- Aquaculture operators must have an Aquaculture license
Seafood processing businesses must have SFPA registration
Aquatech Companies have additional requirements in order to avail of this Scheme, please contact BIM.
Access funding for fisheries, aquaculture, and the seafood sector
Fisheries Funding
The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021-2027 is the primary funding programme for the seafood sector. It is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the EU
You may be eligible if:
You are a small-scale coastal fishery and operating vessels up to 24 meters as well as promoting aquaculture.
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Access funding for fisheries, aquaculture, and the seafood sector
Producer Organisation Scheme
The overall objective of the Producer Organisation Scheme is to promote the contribution of Producer Organisations to the implementation of the CFP and to the development of the seafood sector.
Producer Organisations, which are an officially recognised body established by fishery or aquaculture producers in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013 on the Common Organisation of the Markets in Fishery and Aquaculture Products (CMO Regulation), are eligible under this scheme.
Access funding for fisheries, aquaculture, and the seafood sector
Seafood Training Scheme
This scheme is designed to create a talent pool for industry by developing skills and knowledge in line with European Maritime and Fisheries Aquaculture fund priorities.
This scheme is open to eligible individuals who wish to attend Recognised Training and Educational Courses. This scheme is open to individuals who are:
- New entrants to the Irish seafood sector or currently employed within the sector and wish to upskill.
Access funding for fisheries, aquaculture, and the seafood sector
Seafood Processing Capital Investment Scheme
The objectives of the Seafood Processing Capital Investment Scheme are to:
- Support the development of the processing sector by adding value to, and fully utilising raw material;
- Support the development of operational optimisation in the processing sector;
- Improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions
This scheme is available to applicants who are both an onshore processing SME and have an SFPA approval number with activity code FFPP (Fresh Fishing Products Plant) or PP (Processing Plant).
Access funding for fisheries, aquaculture, and the seafood sector
Fleet Safety Scheme
This scheme is intended to further improve the overall safety standards onboard Irish fishing vessels.
Owners of vessels registered on the Irish Register of Fishing Boats. Applications may be made for vessels of all sizes.
Access funding for fisheries, aquaculture, and the seafood sector
Inshore Fisheries Conservation Scheme – V-notching
This scheme supports the conservation of lobster through v-notching.
Owners of fishing vessels less than or equal to 15 meters length overall (LOA) which are registered on the Irish Register of Fishing Boats under the polyvalent segment (including polyvalent-potting)
Eligible Applicants:
V-notching of lobster, under the following conditions:
- By vessels up to 15m in length
- Only the owner of the vessel which caught the lobster can have that lobster v-notched i.e. it is not permitted to purchase or otherwise obtain lobsters for v-notching
Access funding for fisheries, aquaculture, and the seafood sector
Small Scale Coastal Fisheries Scheme
This scheme is designed to be a ‘one stop shop’ for Small Scale Coastal Fishers, allowing both onshore and onboard investments by Small scale coastal fishing (SSCF) vessel owners, with the following objectives: Selective Fishing; Energy Efficiency; Hygiene, Health and Safety, Quality, Traceability.
Owners of SSCF fishing vessels:
- Must be registered on the Irish Fleet Register at the time of grant application, and;
- Who must have been actively fishing in the two calendar years preceding the year of submission of the application:
- For vessels less than 10m length overall (LOA) this will be validated by ensuring sales notes to the value of at least €1,000 have been registered with the SFPA in each of the two preceding calendar years.
- For vessels of 10m LOA or greater, this will be validated by ensuring log books registered with the SFPA show at least 60 days at sea in each of the two preceding calendar years.
Access funding to support aquaculture skills and training
Aquaculture Funding
The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021-2027 is the primary funding programme for the seafood sector and is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the EU.
You may be eligible if:
- A new entrant to the Irish seafood sector or,
- Are currently employed in the sector and wish to upskill
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Develop skills for careers in the Irish seafood industry
Fisheries, Aquaculture and Seafood Processing Training
Seafood Training Programmes and workshops are available across all sectors of the Irish Seafood Industry.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a novice entrant exploring a new career path in the fishing, aquaculture or retail and processing sector.
- You are an existing member of the seafood industry seeking skills development to add value at an individual professional level and to the overall seafood business.
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.