A NEW European funded programme supporting fishing communities in Pembrokeshire is well underway with the funding of two projects. 

A group of bass fishermen have become the first to benefit from the Pembrokeshire Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) – Cleddau to Coast – support which has enabled them to buy vital equipment to maintain the quality of their catch. Assisted by the European Fisheries Fund and the Welsh Government, the FLAG programme aims to encourage collaboration, promote innovation, regenerate communities and add value to the fish caught off the Pembrokeshire coastline. The European Fisheries Fund (EFF) provides funding to the fishing industry and coastal communities to help them adapt to changing conditions in the sector and become economically resilient and ecologically sustainable. Stretching from St Dogmaels to Amroth, the FLAG area covers 71% of the county’s land area and 72% of its population. FLAG was established in 2011, with members drawn from across the fishing industry, private and public sector bodies in the county. Its aim is to help fishermen, fisheries communities and related organisations to access funding for equipment and services and provide the support they need to promote fish landed in the county and safeguard the local fishing heritage. “The approach to the delivery of the FLAG has given the county a great opportunity to access funds to support research, collaborative and community centred fisheries related projects,” said Nia Marshall, chair of the Cleddau to Coast FLAG. “We have been encouraged by the level of engagement and the interesting and wide ranging project applications submitted to date and are hopeful that the new European Maritime and Fisheries Fund will build on our current success. “At a time when funding is limited it has been exciting and rewarding to be able to assist organisations and individuals in accessing this grant.” The first project to be approved under the FLAG has provided a group of bass fishermen with vital ice making equipment. Under the scheme the bass fishermen’s group received support under the Small Grants Scheme of the FLAG for an ice making machine, which is used to store their catch and deliver it to end customers in as fresh a condition as possible. The purchase of the machine has meant the group – who all fish in the Saundersfoot area – have been able to widen their customer net and meet the requirements of buyers further afield. The six strong group of line caught bass fishermen fish in the waters out of Saundersfoot using registered inshore boats, targeting high quality sea bass. Berwyn Dennis has been fishing off the coast for over 30 years, as did his father before him. Accessing funding for such vital equipment has he believes helped secure his future and that of his fellow fishermen. Said Mr Dennis: “Having the ice machine has made a tremendous difference. Before we had to travel to Milford Haven to get ice, but now it is on hand. “Being able to make our own ice has not just saved us money and travelling time but it has given us flexibility and we are self-sufficient – we can now have as much ice as we want and when we need it.” A second grant of £31,000 was approved by the FLAG to support Pembrokeshire Fish Week, and other projects are in the pipeline. Now in its 15th year, Pembrokeshire Fish Week has grown to become a hugely popular, award winning festival that has ensured Pembrokeshire maintains its strong links within the fishing industry. Kate Morgan, co-ordinator of the event said: “The activities supported through the FLAG project included workshops, demonstrations and tasting events at Saundersfoot, Goodwick and Milford Haven which were really successful engaging the public in recognising the fish and shellfish available in Pembrokeshire. “We have really made an impact increasing the public knowledge and confidence in using fish and shellfish landed in Pembrokeshire.”