Support to improve the resilience and sustainability of shore-based facilities
Updated 9 June 2025
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fisheries-and-seafood-scheme-guidance/support-to-improve-the-resilience-and-sustainability-of-shore-based-facilities
1. Introduction
Funding in this area will support developments in shore-based facilities across the supply chain, including in aquaculture and processing facilities; improvements in the control and traceability of products, and projects that support accessing new markets.
Funding can be applied for:
- M3: Enhancing the quality and/or the adding of value of aquaculture products
- M9: Increasing the potential or sustainability of aquaculture sites
- M10: Developing a sustainable aquaculture sector
- M16 Improving the value and quality of fisheries products
- M28 Improving infrastructure across the supply chain
- M33 Marketing Measures
- M34 Processing of fisheries products
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 M3: Enhancing the quality and/or the adding of value of aquaculture products
Projects should improve the quality and / or value of aquaculture products and can include:
- The modernisation of aquaculture enterprises provided the development is consistent with aims of the English Aquaculture Strategy (EAS).
- Enhancing the quality and/or adding value to aquaculture products, including the use of waste or byproducts (using 100% of the animal).
- Developing pilots or scoping the commercial feasibility of England-based hatcheries for aquaculture to increase resilience and the type of species targeted.
Funding will not be provided for:
- The construction of new aquaculture enterprises, where the development is not consistent with the English Aquaculture Strategy (EAS).
- Projects that would result in negative environmental impacts, based on an environmental impact assessment.
Result indicators
To measure the benefits delivered by projects under M3, Enhancing the quality and/or the adding of value of aquaculture products, the following indicators are applicable:
M3: Enhancing the quality and/or the adding of value of aquaculture products
| Indicator | Information you must provide |
|---|---|
| Change in grade of shellfish | The grade of shellfish before the project The expected grade of shellfish following the project |
| The expected and actual change in grade of shellfish will be used to determine the project’s success | |
| Change in the volume of production via recirculation systems | The current total annual volume (tonnes) of production using recirculation systems, before the project The expected total annual volume (tonnes) of production using recirculation systems following the project |
| The expected and actual change in production using recirculation systems 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 indictor 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.
2.2 M9 Increasing the potential or sustainability of aquaculture sites
Projects should support the development of sustainable aquaculture sites and can include:
- Scoping, identifying and mapping of the most suitable areas for developing aquaculture - approved by the MMO only
- Improvements to the environment, including investments in recirculation and part-recirculation to improve discharge from an aquaculture farm
- Reducing the impact of aquaculture enterprises on water usage and quality, (e.g., reducing the amount of water or chemicals, antibiotics and other medicines used, and using multi–trophic aquaculture systems)
- Increasing energy efficiency, reducing emissions and promoting the conversion of aquaculture enterprises to renewable sources of energy
- Equipment replacement that reduces fuel consumption (more efficient fridges, generators, pumps, LED lights, electronic equipment)
- Improvements to animal health and welfare including equipment to protect farms from wild predators or equipment to kill fish in a more humane way.
- The rehabilitation of disused ponds and lagoons including the removal of silt
Funding will not be provided for:
- Anyone who is not a public law or private body or otherwise authorised by the MMO
- Equipment that may be detrimental to stocks and ecosystems.
Result indicators
To measure the benefits delivered by projects under M9, Increasing the potential or sustainability of aquaculture sites, the following indicators are applicable:
M9 Increasing the potential or sustainability of aquaculture sites
| Indicator | Information you must provide |
|---|---|
| Change in the volume of Production via recirculation systems | The current total annual volume (tonnes) of production using recirculation systems, before the project The expected total annual volume (tonnes) of production using recirculation systems following the project |
| The expected and actual change in production using recirculation systems will be used to determine the project’s success | |
| Change in the value of production via recirculation systems | The current total annual value (£) of production using recirculation systems before the project The expected total annual value (£) of production using recirculation systems following the project |
| The expected and actual change in value by using recirculation systems will be used to determine the project’s success | |
| Change in net profits | Current profit (£) Expected profit (£) after the project Company accounts for the last 3 years |
| The expected and actual change in net profit 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 indictor 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.
2.3 M10 Developing a sustainable aquaculture sector
Projects can include:
- Support to convert an aquaculture farm to an organic aquaculture farm.
Funding will not be provided for:
- Retail costs – including premises and vehicles related to retail businesses.
- The construction of new aquaculture enterprises, where the development is not consistent with the English Aquaculture Strategy (EAS) or does not support existing fishery or aquaculture businesses to adapt to the changing market conditions resulting from EU Exit.
- Support shall not be granted to aquaculture projects in environmentally sensitive protected areas, if it has been determined based on an environmental impact assessment, that the operation would generate significant negative environmental impact that cannot be adequately mitigated.
Result indicators
To measure the benefits delivered by a project under M10; Developing a sustainable aquaculture sector, the following indicators are applicable:
M10 Developing a sustainable aquaculture sector
| Indicator | Information you must provide |
|---|---|
| Number of projects limiting the impact of aquaculture on the environment (Eco management, audit schemes, organic aquaculture environmental services) | Information on which of the following best describes your project 1. eco management 2. audit schemes 3. organic aquaculture; or 4. environmental services |
| The expected and actual change in impacts on the environment 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 indictor 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 M16 Improving the value and quality of fisheries products
Projects should improve the quality or value of seafood products and can include:
- Investments that add value to seafood products including the use of waste or byproducts (using 100% of the animal).
- Investments that increase the quality, control and traceability of products.
- Investments that increase energy efficiency or reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Funding will not be provided for:
- Investments on-board vessels, these might be eligible under support for fishing activities.
- Projects that are unable to clearly demonstrate the improved quality or value added to seafood products.
Results Indicators
To measure the benefits delivered by a project under M16, Improving the value and quality of fisheries products, the following indicators are applicable:
M16 Improving the value and quality of fisheries products
| Indicator | Information you must provide |
|---|---|
| Change in net profits | Current profit (£) Expected profit (£) after the project Company accounts for the last 3 years |
| The expected and actual change in net profit 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 indictor 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
2.5 M28 Improving Infrastructure Across the Supply Chain
Projects should improve or create new shore-based infrastructure that benefits the seafood industry and catching sector (commercial and recreational) and can include:
- Improving the infrastructure of fishing ports, auctions halls, landing sites and shelters
- Infrastructure to increase the quality, control and traceability of products
- Improvements to increase energy efficiency or reduce waste
- Investments that contribute to environmental protection
Funding will not be provided for:
- Projects solely relating to maintenance or repair activities will not be eligible for funding.
- Support shall not cover the construction of new ports, new landing sites or new auction halls.
- Commercial vehicles such as flatbed trucks and quad bikes.
Vehicles:
Funding will be provided for Electric and Hybrid refrigerated vehicles only. Funding rates can be found using the table at the bottom of this document. All quotes for vehicles must come from recognised suppliers such as car dealerships and contain the following information:
- Make, model of vehicle
- Vehicle registration number
- Mileage
The MMO Grants team retain the right to request additional quotations if the above criteria is not met or they believe that quotes don’t represent value for money.
Result indicators
To measure the benefits delivered by a project under M28, Improving Infrastructure Across the Supply Chain, the following indicators are applicable:
| Indicator | Information you must provide |
|---|---|
| Change in tonnes exported | Total annual volume of seafood exported (tonnes), before the project Total expected annual volume of seafood exported (tonnes), after the project Company accounts for the last 3 years Information on the export markets which you are current using Information on any new export markets you expect to use as a result of this project. |
| Change in net profits | Current profit (£) Expected profit (£) after the project Company accounts for the last 3 years |
| The expected and actual change in net profit will be used to determine the project’s success Employment maintained (FTE) in the fisheries sector or complementary activities The expected and actual change in number of employees will be used to determine the project’s success |
Employment maintained (FTE) in the fisheries sector or complementary activities |
Not all FaSS result indicators will be applicable to your project. You will be asked to choose the most suitable indictor 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.
2.6 M33 Marketing Measures
Projects should boost economic growth through the marketing of seafood products and can include:
-
The finding of new markets and improving the conditions for the placing on the market of fishery and aquaculture products, including:
- Unwanted catches landed from commercial stocks in accordance with technical measures
- New uses for waste or byproducts products (using 100% of the animal)
- Fishery and aquaculture products obtained using methods with low impact on the environment, or organic aquaculture products
- Domestic and local selling of fishery products by small–scale coastal fishers through quay side stalls and the setup of alternative selling platforms
- The provision of professional advice on marketing strategies
- Support for changes to certification and labelling.
Funding will not be provided for:
- Creation of Producer Organisations.
Result indicators
To measure the benefits delivered by a project under M33, Marketing Measures, the following indicators are applicable:
M33 Marketing Measures
| Indicator | Information you must provide |
|---|---|
| domestic market (tonnes), after the project Company accounts for the last 3 years Information on the domestic markets which you are current using Information on any new domestic markets you expect to use as a result of this project |
|
| The expected and actual change in volumes exported and markets utilised will be used to determine the project’s success | |
| Change in value (£) of first sales in Producer Organisations Change in value (£) of first sales of Non- Producer Organisations |
Annual value of first sales (£) before your project Expected annual value of first sales (£) after your project Company accounts for the last 3 years |
| The expected and actual change in annual value will be used to determine the project’s success | |
| Change in volume of first sales in Producer Organisations Change in volume of first sales of Non-Producer Organisations |
Annual volume (tonnes) of first sales before your project Expected annual volume (tonnes) of first sales after your project Company accounts for the last 3 years |
| The expected and actual change in annual volume of first sales will be used to determine the project’s success | |
| Change in net profits | Current profit (£) Expected profit (£) after the project Company accounts for the last 3 years |
| The expected and actual change in net profit 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 indictor 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.
2.7 M34 Processing of fisheries products
Projects should support seafood processing businesses and can include:
- Investments increasing energy efficiency, reducing emissions and promoting the conversion of processing enterprises to renewable sources of energy
- Equipment replacement that reduces fuel consumption (more efficient fridges, generators, pumps, LED lights, electronic equipment)
- Contributions to reduce the impact on the environment of processing enterprises, including waste treatment and recycling waste materials
- The processing of by-products resulting from main processing activities.
- New or improved products, processes, or management and organisation systems.
Funding will not be provided for:
- Running costs and daily operational costs of processing companies and facilities including utilities and salaries of staff.
- Preventative or scheduled maintenance costs.
Result indicators
To measure the benefits delivered by a project under M34, Processing of fisheries and aquaculture products, the following indicators are applicable:
M34 Processing of fisheries and aquaculture products
| Indicator | Information you must provide |
|---|---|
| Change in net profits | Current profit (£) Expected profit (£) after the project Company accounts for the last 3 years |
| The expected and actual change in net profits will be used to determine the project’s success | |
| Change in volume of first sales in Producer Organisations | Annual volume (tonnes) of first sales before your project Expected annual volume (tonnes) of first |
| Change in volume of first sales of Non-Producer Organisations | Sales after your project Company accounts for the last 3 years |
| The expected and actual change in annual volume of first sales 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 indictor 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. 3. Funding available
The minimum and maximum funding available for measures relating to shore-based facilities are outlined below:
3.1 3.1 Limits of Funding Available in FaSS Measures
| FaSS Measure | Minimum Grant Value Available (£) | Maximum Grant Value Available (£) |
|---|---|---|
| M3 Enhancing the quality and/or the adding of value of aquaculture products | 500 | 70,000 |
| M9 Increasing the potential or sustainability of aquaculture sites | 500 | 30,000 |
| M10 Developing a sustainable aquaculture sector | 500 | 30,000 |
| M16 Improving the value and quality of fisheries products | 500 | 70,000 |
| M28 Improving infrastructure across the supply chain | 1,000 | 250,000 |
| M33: Marketing measures | 1,000 | 70,000 |
| M34: Processing of fisheries products | 1,000 | 150,000 |
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:
| 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.