Marine and fisheries funding for activity supporting NI Executive aims and objectives for the marine economy, green growth and net zero.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced that the Marine Environment and Fisheries Fund for Northern Ireland stakeholders is now open for applications.
The Fund provides £3.25m financial support for fishing, aquaculture and other marine stakeholders and is available up to 31 March 2026. It is designed to support marine and fisheries activity and help deliver against the aims and objectives within the Joint Fisheries Statement and the Northern Ireland Executive’s commitments to green growth and net zero.
The support package is designed to deliver benefits to fishermen, processing and aquaculture businesses, port authorities, inland fishers and stakeholders with environmental interests. It includes £750k for applications that positively impact on green growth, decarbonisation of the fisheries sectors and, ultimately, the longer-term objective of progression towards a net zero industry. A further £500k of the financial assistance is earmarked for supporting projects that aim to physically preserve and restore the important Blue Carbon habitats within Northern Ireland’s territorial waters.
The following fund areas are open for applications
- Investments Onboard Licensed Fishing Vessel
- Fisheries Innovation, Science and Partnerships
- Environment and Conservation Action
- Developing NI Aquaculture
- Processing and Marketing of Fish and Aquaculture produce
- Fishing Ports Infrastructure
Find out more about the Marine Environment and Fisheries Fund 2025/26, eligibility criteria, and how to apply.
Apply as soon as possible, as the scheme funding must be utilised by 31 March 2026.
First published 30 July 2025
