Achieving good environmental status through the conservation and restoration of the marine environment
Updated 9 June 2025
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fisheries-and-seafood-scheme-guidance/achieving-good-environmental-status-through-the-conservation-and-restoration-of-the-marine-environment
1. Introduction
Funding in this area will support projects that contribute to achieving good environmental status, through improving and protecting the marine environment.
Funding can be applied for under the following measures:
- M11 Aquaculture providing environmental services
- M12 Preventing and collecting Marine Litter
- M13 Support for the design and implementation of conservation measures
- M15 Protection and restoration of marine biodiversity
Please note this information is for guidance only and is not exhaustive or binding. If you are unsure whether an item is eligible, please contact MMO Grants Team.
2. Projects you can apply for
2.1 M11 Aquaculture providing environmental services
Projects should support conservation, biodiversity or the environment and can include:
- Participation in conservation and biodiversity restoration programmes.
- Aquaculture projects which include conservation and improvement of the environment and of biodiversity, including improvements to water quality, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, management of the landscape and traditional features of aquaculture zones.
2.2 Result indicators
To measure the benefits delivered by a project under M11; Aquaculture providing environmental services, the following indicators are applicable:
2.3 M11 Aquaculture providing environmental services
| Indicator | Information you must provide |
|---|---|
| Change in the annual value of production (£) | Current annual value of production (£) before the project Expected annual value of production (£) after the project Company accounts for the last 3 years |
| The expected and actual change in annual value of production will be used to determine the project’s success. | |
| Change in the annual volume of production (tonnes) | Current annual volume of production (tonnes) before the project Expected annual volume of production (tonnes) after the project Company accounts for the last 3 years |
| The expected and actual change in annual volume of production will be used to determine the project’s success. |
Not all FaSS result indicators will be applicable to your project. You will be asked to choose the most suitable indicator to demonstrate the benefits of your project.
Once the project is complete you will be required to provide evidence as part of post project monitoring to show the actual benefits achieved by your project.
2.4 M12 Preventing and Collecting Marine Litter (including recycling end of life fishing gear)
Projects should clean up the marine environment by reducing marine and aquaculture litter. Projects that recycle or make use of waste products will also be supported. Projects can include:
- Preventing / collecting marine litter during fishing activities.
- Equipment for prevention, collection or storage of litter.
- Investments that reduce the environmental impact of fisheries-related waste (For example, purchase of bailers and other recycling equipment, support for fishing gear waste collection and recycling schemes).
- Education and awareness raising schemes of marine litter and best practices to prevent it.
2.5 Funding will not be provided for:
- Removal of marine litter from the marine environment, where there is potential for harm to the environment caused by the removal activity.
2.6 Result indicators
To measure the benefits delivered by a project under M12, Preventing and collecting marine litter (including recycling end of life fishing gear), the following indicators are applicable:
2.7 M12 Preventing and Collecting Marine Litter (including recycling end of life fishing gear)
| Indicator | Information you must provide |
|---|---|
| Volume (m3) of marine litter storage available on boats/ at ports | The volume capacity of marine litter storage before your project Expected volume capacity of marine litter storage after your project |
| The expected and actual change in storage will be used to determine the project’s success. |
Not all FaSS result indicators will be applicable to your project. You will be asked to choose the most suitable indicator to demonstrate the benefits of your project.
Once the project is complete you will be required to provide evidence as part of post project monitoring to show the actual benefits achieved by your project.
2.8 M13 Support for the design and implementation of conservation measures
Projects should help support conservation of the marine environment and can include:
- Setting up of local groups / cooperatives for the development and delivery of nature restoration projects and to develop local solutions to deliver good environmental status.
- The introduction of new technical or organisational knowledge that reduces the impact of fishing activities on the environment.
- The design, development and monitoring of technical and administrative means necessary for the development and implementation of conservation measures.
-
Development of guidance / online resources to communicate new and planned protected areas to local fishers, and outline mitigations available to protect business models.
-
Improving the management of the marine environment, including through the design and implementation of conservation measures.
-
Improving environmental monitoring.
-
The management, restoration and monitoring of Marine Protected Areas; and protected, endangered and threatened species that are impacted by fishing activity.
- Research and trials in the management of Marine Protected Areas
2.9 Result indicators
To measure the benefits delivered by a project under M13, support for the design and implementation of conservation measures, the following indicators are applicable:
2.10 M13 Support for the design and implementation of conservation measures
| Indicator | Information you must provide |
|---|---|
| Area of marine or coastal habitat that has been protected, recovered, or enhanced as a result of project actions (m2) | The expected area in m² that the research/data collection will cover |
Not all FaSS result indicators will be applicable to your project. You will be asked to choose the most suitable indicator to demonstrate the benefits of your project.
Once the project is complete you will be required to provide evidence as part of post project monitoring to show the actual benefits achieved by your project.
2.11 M15 Protection and restoration of marine biodiversity
Projects should support the protection or restoration of marine biodiversity and can include:
- Increasing environmental awareness and involving industry in the protection, management, enhancement and restoration of marine biodiversity.
- Maintaining and/or recovering biodiversity, ecosystem services, and climate change adaptation, resilience and mitigation, such as through the restoration of marine and coastal habitats.
2.12 Result indicators
To measure the benefits to be delivered by a project under M15, protection and restoration of marine biodiversity, the following results indictors are applicable:
2.13 M15 Protection and restoration of marine biodiversity
| Indicator | Information you must provide |
|---|---|
| Area of marine or coastal habitat that has been protected, recovered, or enhanced as a result of project actions (m2) | The expected area in m² that the research/data collection will cover |
| Number of people engaged in activities that increase environmental awareness | The number of active participants that will be working on the project |
Not all FaSS result indicators will be applicable to your project. You will be asked to choose the most suitable indicator to demonstrate the benefits of your project.
Once the project is complete you will be required to provide evidence as part of post project monitoring to show the actual benefits achieved by your project.
3. Funding available
3.1 Limits of Funding Available in FaSS measures
| FaSS Measure | Minimum Grant Value Available (£) | Maximum Grant Value Available (£) |
|---|---|---|
| M11 Aquaculture providing environmental services | 500 | 50,000 |
| M12 Preventing and collecting marine litter | 500 | 60,000 |
| M13 Support for the design and implementation of conservation measures | 500 | 250,000 |
| M15 Protection and restoration of marine biodiversity | 500 | 250,000 |
Every project will require a level of match funding. The level of funding you are required to provide will depend on your business or organisation type.
It is your responsibility to source and provide match funding, such as business loans or cash resources. You must state the source of funding when applying. Before committing any private resources, we recommend you seek independent financial advice.
The amount of money you can apply for will depend on your business or organisation type. There are maximum allocations allowed for each applicant are outlined below:
4. Funding rates for eligible applicants in FaSS
| Applicant Type | Fass% | Match Funding% |
|---|---|---|
| Public | 75 | 25 |
| Private (Micro Entity) | 60 | 40 |
| Private (SME) | 50 | 50 |
| Private (Non-SME) | 30 | 70 |
| Private (SSCF) | 80 | 20 |
| Private (Fishermen’s Associations) | 75 | 25 |
| Private (PO’s) | 75 | 25 |
Grant Rates Key:
SSCF - Small scale coastal fishing – vessels under 12m and not using towed gear;
PO - Producer Organisation;
SME - Small and medium enterprises.