Will Cornwall Get Its Fair Share of £360m Fishing Fund?

Cornish Labour MPs have met with the Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Dame Angela Eagle DBE MP, to press the case for major investment in Cornwall’s fishing communities.

Cornwall’s Call for Fair Funding

The meeting with Dame Angela marked her first official session with MPs since taking up her role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). During the discussion, the MPs highlighted the challenges facing Cornwall’s fishing industry, including training for young people, local infrastructure, and access to markets.

They also raised concerns about the need for more locally-led research and data collection, as well as the importance of building resilience in the sector amid changing environmental conditions, such as the recent octopus bloom that has affected local fisheries.

Focus on the £360 Million Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund

At the centre of the talks was the £360 million Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, designed to tackle issues affecting fishing communities across the UK. The fund aims to invest in new technology and equipment, modernise the fleet, and train the next generation of fishers.

The Cornish MPs stressed that Cornwall should be prioritised in the allocation of these funds, given the importance of the industry to the Duchy’s economy and heritage.

Dame Angela Eagle said:
“Our fishermen play a vital role in our national food security, and it was great to meet with some of Cornwall’s dedicated MPs who continue to be strong champions for their Cornish fishing communities.

“This Government is supporting coastal areas and making real progress to improve the lives of those living or working by the sea. I look forward to continuing to work with Cornwall’s MPs.”

MPs Speak Out for Cornwall’s Fishing Future

Anna Gelderd, Member of Parliament for South East Cornwall, organised the meeting and said:
“Fishing is the beating heart of our coastal communities in South East Cornwall, and keeping this traditional way of life alive is vital to the success of our local economies. To raise issues that fishermen have shared, I organised a meeting between the Cornish Labour MPs and Minister Eagle.

“I am glad that the Department is taking the concerns of coastal communities in Cornwall seriously, and I will continue to push for the needs of fishermen in South East Cornwall to be recognised.

“As well as organising this meeting, I’ve written to Ministers about challenges with systems such as iVMS and Catchapp, and I’ve worked with colleagues to address the issues raised in the Great British Inshore Fishing Fleet Survey. I have also raised fishermen’s concerns about the ongoing octopus bloom and engaged with local fishermen about support structures.”

Noah Law, Member of Parliament for St Austell and Newquay, and a key member of the APPG Fisheries Group, added:
“The smaller-scale fleets we have in Cornwall are the bedrock of employment and environmental sustainability of our fisheries – both of which should be core Labour priorities that we’ve been hammering home to the Minister.

“The Fisheries and Coastal Growth Fund represents a major opportunity to devolve investment and decision-making to our sector locally to put itself on the strongest footing possible for skills and careers, local infrastructure and marketing, and involving the local sector more in sustainability and science.”

Jayne Kirkham, Member of Parliament for Truro and Falmouth, said:
“It’s important that the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund provides consistent support over the next 12 years to build resilience of Cornwall’s fishing industry. We are talking to the Minister to make sure that the future of Cornwall’s fishing industry is secure.”

Perran Moon, Member of Parliament for Camborne and Redruth, said:
“Our fisheries hold a very important place in Cornish society, so it is important that much needed funding is made available for the vital infrastructure required to build resilience in the sector. Access to the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund is necessary to ensure that our Cornish fisheries can enjoy a stable, secure and sustainable future.”