Richard Drax, Member of Parliament for South Dorset, has warmly welcomed two new sources of funding for fishermen whose livelihoods were adversely affected by the winter storms.
The first fund, given by the Cabinet Office and administered by the Dorset Community Fund will share £35,000 among Dorset individuals and families hardest hit by the recent storms and floods. Those, including fishermen, who have claims dating from December 1st, 2013 to March 31st, 2014, are invited to apply via the following website. http://www.dorsetcommunityfoundation.org/
‘The DCF will share this sum amongst those who apply,’ says Drax. ‘These funds replace the Business Hardship Scheme which turned out only to be of use to those whose businesses had been flooded – which of course, did not include fishermen.’
The second source of funding is the European Fisheries Fund (EFF), administered by the Marine Maritime Organisation (MMO), which has now relaxed one of its most stringent rules for applicants. The EFF will now allow fishermen with boats registered for a year to apply for replacement of lost or damaged kit.
This replaces the previous EFF regulation, which demanded that fishing boats must be registered for five years or more to be eligible.
In addition, the MMO undertakes to help fishermen fill out the time consuming and complex forms so that they are complete before they are sent off to the EFF. The forms and guidance notes are available on the MMO website.
‘This is a great step forward and a victory for common sense,’ says Richard Drax. ‘There was no good reason why boats under five years old were ineligible. Allowing boats on the register for a year or more is a fair compromise. It allows the EFF to record an adequate record of landings, while fishermen who have recently replaced old boats and kit are still accounted for.’
Until this week, fishermen who were unable to put to sea for almost two months due to the winter storms were unable to find any compensation. Many had approached Richard Drax telling him of their difficulties.
‘This is a great improvement on the situation we faced two weeks ago,’ says Drax. ‘I hope that more funding will follow. Some of our fishermen have been virtually wiped out by the winter storms and any source of aid is vitally important, both to them as individuals and to our local fishing economy.’