At our “Financial Resilience in Fishing Communities” event, we heard from speakers from a range of organisations that have taken steps to build financial resilience amongst members of the fishing community.
Attendees heard from:
Tina Barnes - Head of Impact, The Seafarers’ Charity
James Richards - Business Development Manager, Commsave Credit Union
Jamie Wilkinson - Investments and Projects Executive, Aberdeenshire Council
Duncan MacInnes - Secretary, Western Isles Fishermen’s Association
Joe MacPhee - Head of Economic Development and Planning, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Chris Ranger - Founding Director, Fal Fishery Cooperative CIC
Find a full recording of the event below:
Following the presentations, Parliamentarians and attendees put their questions to the panel. Written summaries of all questions and answers are provided below. Please note that these answers reflect the views of the panelists, rather than the APPG Secretariat or its Members.
How can MPs help their local fishing constituents to build financial resilience?
Tina Barnes suggested that MPs direct fishermen to the Fishing Safety Net website for verified and safe advice. Other organisations are also available to offer advice, including The Seafarers’ Charity, who have an information line.
Sheryll Murray MP encouraged those who require help to approach their local MP. MPs deal with matters on a confidential basis and will assign a caseworker to assist the constituent in finding appropriate help. From a health perspective, the Dreadnought Unit at St Thomas’ Hospital, London, specialises in treating seafarers, and quayside dental services have previously been offered to fishermen outside of normal practice hours.
The British inshore fishing fleet is ageing. Could support be targeted towards increasing financial stability for young people considering a career in fishing?
Tina Barnes drew attention to a one-hour financial training module that was developed by The Seafarers’ Charity and included in Seafish’s “Introduction to Commercial Fishing” course. This module targets new entrants and helps them to understand how to manage the turbulent income flow associated with fishing.
James Richards said that many of the resources and articles available at curight.co.uk would be useful to younger people. This includes a number of tools developed with the Money Advice Service to help people through key life stages, including saving for a mortgage or a new baby.
Duncan MacInnes explained that the type of support required depends on whether individuals are new entrants into the industry, or first-time vessel owners. The Western Isles Fisheries Investment Scheme offers support to those wanting to own a vessel who can demonstrate strong fishing qualifications, and there is additional assistance available for new entrants to complete their statutory training. On top of the cost of a vessel, new owners must also consider the cost of a license and, in some cases, the cost of quota.
Accessing support through FLAGs can be complex. Is there support for fishermen going through this process?
Jamie Wilkinson said that, in the past, applying for funding from the EMFF (European Maritime and Fisheries Fund) was a notoriously difficult and admin-heavy process. A benefit of the FLAG model is an on-the-ground cross-sector support network which can support applicants, including small-scale fishermen, through the application process. This has enabled projects to take place which might not have been delivered under larger-scale funding schemes.
Chris Ranger reflected that accessing FLAG funding can be difficult, as can meeting the specific criteria of national initiatives such as SIF (Seafood Innovation Fund) and FISP (Fisheries Industry Science Partnerships scheme). At present, the Fal Fishery Cooperative CIC is being funded by local supporters.
Tina Barnes said that The Seafarers’ Charity funds a team of Fishing Animateurs (fishinganimateur.co.uk) who work throughout the UK to support those in the fishing industry who are applying for government grants.
Have organisations like The Seafarers’ Charity and Commsave Credit Union adjusted their services in light of the pandemic?
Tina Barnes explained that, early in the pandemic, The Seafarers’ Charity Trustees released an additional £2 million of funding, £0.5 million of which was earmarked for the fishing industry. £200,000 of this was distributed by The Fishermen’s Mission in hardship grants, £50,000 was distributed in hardship grants by local fishing associations, and the remaining £250,000 was awarded as part of a £0.5 million Rapid Response Fund, alongside The Fishmongers’ Company. This Rapid Response Fund helped to fund refrigeration vehicles and other innovative means of business adaptation, creating new jobs and allowing fishermen to get a better price for fish by selling directly to consumers.
James Richards reflected that Commsave Credit Union was already used to providing services remotely, via their online facilities and call centre. During the pandemic a key focus of their work was helping to set up loan repayment holidays for those struggling to keep up with costs.
There are still unknowns about the Government’s new Fisheries and Seafood Fund. To what extent might it support fishermen in achieving financial security?
Sheryll Murray MP explained that the Fund was part of the £100 million that has been promised to seafood-related industries, and that some schemes under this umbrella have already been opened. A diverse range of schemes are being considered and it is advised that fishermen stay abreast of announcements.
The Western Isles securing £8 million in fisheries funding is impressive. How did you engage with fishing communities and what have you learned throughout the process?
Duncan MacInnes said that Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has been a model local authority in engaging with the fishing industry, thanks largely to its open-door approach. At the council level, there is a fisheries joint consultative committee which includes representatives from the industry and its associated supply chain, alongside a similar number of councillors. Approaching banks to discuss funding was also critical and the Royal Bank of Scotland was encouraged by the impressive debt record of the Fisheries Investment Scheme. A further lesson was the importance of carefully scrutinising funding applicants in the initial stages and valuing assets correctly. Macinnes expressed that he would be happy to be contacted to discuss the scheme’s development.
What role does the Crown Estate in Scotland play in facilitating small-scale fishing communities and local marine strategies? Has the devolution of the Crown Estate helped in this regard?
Jamie Wilkinson said that the local administration of the Crown Estate is still a relatively new concept. He explained that local authorities receive a monetary allocation from the Scottish government on an annual basis. NESFLAG (North East Scotland Fisheries Local Action Group) distributes their allocation to local projects. In Aberdeenshire, a number of priorities for this money have been identified. One such priority involves supporting the resilience of local fishermen, in particular younger workers.
Joe MacPhee said that it was announced earlier this year that the Outer Hebrides would receive £1.7 million in funding from the Crown Estate. In the past, allocation of this funding was determined by the Coastal Communities Fund, operated directly by the Crown Estate. Now this decision-making is devolved to the local authority areas. In the case of the Outer Hebrides, the council has decided to use this money to provide much-needed support to the communities in which the Crown Estate revenues were first generated.
What’s next for The Seafarers’ Charity?
Tina Barnes said that The Seafarers’ Charity has recently carried out new research which examines working conditions for fishermen. This expands upon the Fishing Without a Safety Net report, focusing less on individual resilience, and more on what the industry can do to support its workers.