Fish Farm Relocation Scheme

Grant aid for projects is available under the location/relocation project which is one of the priorities for action under the Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture.

Objectives and Priorities

It is not the aim of grant assistance simply to subsidise the costs of projects. Rather, the intention is to promote projects and activities which would not otherwise be taken forward, resulting in benefits to the environment and to protect wild fisheries. The overriding priority is to ensure that investment under the relocation scheme encourages the sustainable development of the industry. The main focus will be on environmental improvement.

All projects should contribute to lasting economic benefits to the area but avoid counterproductive effects, particularly the risk of creating surplus production capacity.

Eligibility

Applications are welcome from anyone operating, or proposing to operate, a registered fish farming business. Applicants are reminded that under the Regulation of Fish Farming and Shellfish Farming Business Order 1985, all persons engaged in the practice of fish farming in Scotland are required to register with the SEERAD Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen within two months of the commencement of business.

You may make an application for funding if, where appropriate to the species concerned, your project:-

1. is concerned with the relocation of fish production to a more suitable site in respect of environmental impact and risk to wild fish populations
2. is situated in waters appropriate to the maintenance of the health and welfare of the species concerned
3. offers a satisfactory guarantee of yielding a profit and will contribute to a lasting economic improvement in the area (projects must, however, avoid counterproductive effects, particularly the risk of creating surplus production capacity);
4. takes appropriate account of environment considerations and legislation;
5. will be properly managed.

Expenditure within projects which are eligible for assistance includes costs involved in:-

1. the purchase and installation of new plant, equipment and machinery intended exclusively for aquaculture production.
2. fees relating, for example, to planning and consent applications.

The following items or areas of expenditure are ineligible for assistance:-

1. purchase of eggs, fry, juveniles or breeding stock;
2. working capital;
3. own labour and equipment costs;
4. maintenance costs;
5. consumables (items normally written off within a year);

Inclusion of any ineligible costs in an application will not normally render the whole project ineligible, but they would not be included in the amount on which any award of grant is calculated. However, if the value of ineligible costs, excluding land purchase costs, in an application amounts to more than 40% of the estimated total project costs, then the application will be rejected.

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