A small grants fund of £150,000 is available to support the fishing communities affected by the Wave Hub. This fund was set up to benefit the fishing communities in Hayle and St Ives. Also to some extent Newlyn, where fishing vessels can show that they fish in the waters around the Wave Hub.
The small grants fund sits alongside a £150,000 investment into the buying of fish quota. Together, a total of £300,000 is available for the Wave Hub Fisheries Mitigation Fund. This fufills the commitments made by the Wave Hub to establish a fishing mitigation fund.
The small grants fund is now open for applications to come forward.
Who can apply
We would like to hear from projects and initiatives that
- help sustain and develop the local fishing industry, and
- bring about benefits for the fishing community as a whole rather than to individuals who might have been affected by Wave Hub.
Examples of things that the fund could support include:
- projects to improve the harbours in St Ives and Hayle
- maintenance of existing infrastructure
- innovation
- training
- projects that support the direct selling of fish and shellfish to local costumers.
- seed/match funding for larger projects where covering upfront costs is an issue.
Applicants must show how their projects will benefit the fishing communities in Hayle and St. Ives. The panel will also consider applications from other harbours such as Newlyn, but they must show a link to the fishing grounds around Wave Hub.
As limited funding is available, applicants should pursue all other sources of funding first (for example, MMO funding). Projects that have secured match-funding contribution from other sources will be considered favourably.
How funding will be decided and paid
Cornwall Council Officers will receive applications and will also contract successful projects. Recommendations over which projects to fund will sit with a local Panel comprised of:
- A representative from the St Ives Fishermen’s Association
- A representative from the Hayle Fishermen’s Association
- A representative from the Cornwall Fish Producer Organisation
- The Cornwall Councillor for St Ives West and Towednack [See note 1 below]
- By agreement, the Cornwall Councillor for Hayle West or the Cornwall Councillor for Gwinear-Gwithian and Hayle East [See note 2 below]
- Cornwall Council Portfolio Holder for Culture, Economy and Planning
The panel meets four times each year to consider any applications received.
How to apply
Download the application form to apply for funding
Please email applications and any questions to: economicdevelopment@cornwall.gov.uk
If you have missed the submission deadline for the next meeting, your application will be included in the following meeting.
[1] Prior to new electoral boundaries coming into force at the May 2021 election, the Cornwall Councillor for St Ives East will be represented on the board
[2] Prior to new electoral boundaries coming into force at the May 2021 election, the Cornwall Councillor for Hayle North will be represented on the board
