€568k boost for marine projects

BORD Iascaigh Mhara announced details of a €568,397 investment for 27 coastal based projects in the North West of Ireland under the Fisheries Local Area Action Group (FLAG) Strategy.

Jim O’ Toole, CEO of BIM said that the FLAG Programme would continue ‘ to promote sustainable growth in the local economies of Irish coastal towns and villages and provide a significant boost to these important communities.’

He added: “By 2020, the FLAG Programme will have invested up to €12 million in Ireland’s coastal communities, providing jobs, and exciting opportunities to men and women who live along Ireland’s coastline.”

More than 400 applications have been made to the FLAG programme this year.

All applications were reviewed by individual FLAG Boards in each of the seven FLAG regions throughout Ireland.

Projects must be able to demonstrate a clear link to coastal community rejuvenation, enterprise, innovation, job creation and skills enhancement across the fishing, aquaculture and maritime industries.

The FLAG programme is co funded by the Irish Government and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). BIM, Ireland’s Seafood Development Agency, administers the programme. Applications for 2019 FLAG is now open.