Achieving good environmental status through the conservation and restoration of the marine environment
Updated 23 February 2024
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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 check the General Guidance and if you are still unsure contact the MMO.
2. Projects you can apply for
2.1 M11 Aquaculture providing environmental services
Projects can include:
- Costs directly related to participation in conservation and biodiversity restoration programmes to support the conservation and reproduction of aquatic animals. These programmes must be developed by, or under the supervision of, public authorities.
- Aquaculture projects which include conservation and improvement of the environment and of biodiversity, and management of the landscape and traditional features of aquaculture zones.
2.2 Result indicators
FaSS result indicators have been designed to measure the benefits to be delivered by a project. Result indicators are specific to the type of project you are applying for. For projects 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
Projects can include:
- Preventing/ collecting marine litter during fishing activities.
- Equipment for prevention, collection or storage of litter.
- Waste collection schemes.
- Investments that reduce the environmental impact of fisheries-related waste (fishing gear designed to be recycled or less harmful if lost).
- Education and awareness raising schemes of marine litter and best practice to prevent it.
2.5 Funding will not be provided for:
- Recovery of lost fishing gear from the sea, except where this is part of testing gear design.
- 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
FaSS result indicators have been designed to measure the benefits to be delivered by a project. Result indicators are specific to the type of project you are applying for. For projects under M12, Preventing and collecting marine litter the following indicators are applicable:
2.7 M12 Preventing and Collecting Marine Litter
| 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 can include:
- Setting up of local groups / cooperatives 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.
- Supporting businesses to diversify towards less environmentally damaging practices (e.g seaweed farming)
- Improving the management of the marine environment, including through the design and implementation of conservation measures.
- Improving environmental monitoring.
- The preparation, including studies, drawing-up, monitoring and updating of protection and management plans for fishery-related activities.
- 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
FaSS result indicators have been designed to measure the benefits to be delivered by a project. Result indicators are specific to the type of project you are applying for. For projects 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 can include:
- Increasing environmental awareness, involving industry, with regard to the protection, management, enhancement and restoration of marine biodiversity.
- Actions aimed at maintaining and/or recovering biodiversity, ecosystem services, and climate change adaptation, resilience and mitigation, such as through the restoration of marine and coastal habitats, including their scientific preparation and evaluation.
3. Result indicators
FaSS result indicators have been designed to measure the benefits to be delivered by a project. Result indicators are specific to the type of project you are applying for. For projects under M15, protection and restoration of marine biodiversity, the following results indictors are applicable:
3.1 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.
4. Funding available
The minimum and maximum funding available for M12, Preventing and collecting marine litter, are outlined below:
4.1 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:
5. 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;