Plan to boost Hastings fishery approved

A plan to spend £800,000 of prospective EU money on revitalising the fishery was approved on Monday (August 8).
Hastings Borough Council officers have suggested a number of ideas to revitalise the fisheryHastings Borough Council officers have suggested a number of ideas to revitalise the fishery
Hastings Borough Council officers have suggested a number of ideas to revitalise the fishery

Hastings Borough Council cabinet unanimously agreed to the strategy to use the money from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.

But the council will not find out if it has secured the funds until October.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

One suggestion was to hold a festival on the seafront in a bid to tackle the fishing industry decline.

Cllr Dawn Poole, who proposed approval, said: “As a small scale fishery there are several challenges from the Common Fisheries Policy reforms, which may or may not change as a result of leaving the EU, and this local development strategy will work to mitigate some of these challenges at a local level.”

Hastings has been selected as one of three Fisheries Local Action Groups in the UK to receive funding for a second time.

The local development strategy focuses on three areas: creating a sustainable fleet and supply chain, protecting the environment, and developing the fishery’s identity.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Activities suggested by officers in these areas included ‘developing the Hastings fish brand’, supporting apprentices, reducing energy costs and getting a new ice maker.

Cllr Poole thanked all who have been involved in supporting the FLAG programme and developing this bid for the second round of funding.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

1) Make our website your homepage at www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/ 2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hastingsobserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @HastingsObs

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Hastings Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.