17.11.06
Vessel modernisation grant for single-handed fisherman

Michael Burt, owner and skipper of the Newquay based potter 'Sundowner', has recently been awarded an Objective One Fisheries grant of nearly £5000 to install a gunwale roller, new pot hauler and console, and a baiting table aboard his vessel.

Mr Burt, is a single-handed fisherman who has been fishing in Cornwall for over 43 years. Throughout the year he fishes with around 500 pots for brown crabs, spider crabs and lobsters.

As a single-handed fisherman, pot-hauling is particularly strenuous and dangerous. As the pots emerge from the water, Mr Burt has to lean over the side of the boat to grab a pot and balance it on the gunwale. In addition to this, once the pot is hauled on board, it rests on a narrow strip on the side of the boat while the catch is unloaded and the pot re-baited.

With the grant assistance Mr Burt will be able to modernise his vessel by installing a gunwale roller, new pot hauler and console and a baiting table. The gunwale roller allows the pots to be hauled with greater ease, whilst the pot hauler will ensure the pots are brought aboard the boat with minimum effort. The new console which will be attached to the outside of the wheelhouse will mean that Mr Burt can stand comfortably and safely as he controls the pots as they are brought aboard the boat onto the baiting table. Once on the table he will be able to take out the catch and re-bait the pot with ease.

Nicky Harrison, Objective One Fisheries Project Officer commented: "This project will drastically improve the safety and working conditions for Mr Burt. As a single-handed fisherman he only has himself to rely on should anything go wrong whilst away to sea."

Mick Burt, owner and skipper of the 'Sundowner' added: "I am very pleased to receive this help as I know this will make a big difference to my work and safety being single handed."

For further information please contact Clare Leverton of the Objective One Fisheries Programme on 01872 270333 or email admin@swpesca.co.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in fisheries though the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) fund.

Editor's notes:

Cornwall's Objective One Fisheries programme will provide over £10 million from April 2001 to December 2006 to the fishing industry in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The funds are a mixture of EU and national funds, through the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance fund (FIFG) and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The projects are approved by the Marine Fisheries Agency in partnership with an Objective One Fisheries Priority Management Group, made up of local fishing sector representatives. South West Pesca Ltd helps applicants to develop projects by providing guidance and help on completing application forms and submitting applications.

Up to 40% (35% EU and 5% National) grants are available for the private sector projects and 75% grants for the public sector projects. So far 273 projects have been approved with £7,646,626.80 of funds committed to these projects.

Examples of projects funded by the Objective One Programme:

For further information contact, Clare Leverton, South West Pesca Ltd, Trevint House, Strangways Villas, Truro, TR1 2PA
Tel: 01872 270333
Fax: 01872 242470
admin@swpesca.co.uk
www.swpesca.co.uk

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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