G Smyth Boats Limited has been successful in obtaining grant assistance from the South East Area Fisheries Local Action Group (SEA FLAG) through Union Priority 4 of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.  

The Fisheries Local Action Group is pleased to approve financial support for the Kilkeel based company. G Smyth Boats Limited is well known throughout Ireland, the United Kingdom and across Europe for their exceptional design, build and boat fit out. This grant assistance which will help G Smyth Boats Limited diversify into the 12m catamaran market and in turn create three new jobs within the fishing community of Kilkeel.  

Gerald Smyth, Sole Director of G Smyth Boats commented, “Since being established in 2009, the company has grown from strength to strength. With the support of grant assistance from SEA FLAG, we are delighted to be able to develop our business offering and provide our quality products and services to more customers on these islands and further afield. We employ 15 highly skilled staff and look forward to attracting new people to our team and the industry. I would encourage anyone with a project within the fishing communities to contact SEA FLAG for more information”. 

SEA FLAG Chair, Alderman Carson welcomed this project, stating; “G Smyth Boats Limited is an essential component of the maritime industry in Kilkeel, and SEA FLAG is happy to provide funding to help the company further diversify their business. It is projects like this that make a positive impact across our fishing dependent communities. I have no doubt that G Smyth Boats Limited will continue to grow and establish new markets, providing by-product for other local companies in the Kilkeel area”.  

For further information please contact member of the SEA FLAG team at Newry, Mourne and Down District Council on 0330 137 4051.

Pictured from Left to Right: Andrew Rooney, FLAG representative; Patrick Higgins, FLAG representative; Alderman Angus Carson SEA FLAG Chair; and Lisa McBride, FLAG Board member.

The South East Area Fisheries Local Action Group (SEA FLAG) is pleased to announce that the Northern Ireland Fisheries Harbour Authority (NIFHA) has recently installed two refrigerated bait stores, one at Ardglass Harbour and the other at Portavogie Harbour, funded through Union Priority 4 of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.

The new chilled storage facilities are welcomed by the local creel fishermen in the local fishing communities. With the benefit of the refrigerated storage, this will protect and preserve the quality of the bait assisting to maximise the lifespan of the resource and maximise efficiencies.

Mr Kevin Quigley, NIFHA Chief Executive commented “I am delighted to receive funding from SEA FLAG, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and the European Union. The central chill stores will enable the fishermen to increase the length of time bait is viable, increase the security and protection of the bait and will also reduce its potential for contamination. I am confident the facilities will have a positive impact on the local creel fishermen of Ardglass and Portavogie.”

SEA FLAG Chair, Alderman Angus Carson stated, “Following the success of funding in 2014 for a similar project, this demonstrates the commitment from SEA FLAG to provide such provisions. By providing shared refrigerated stores at the harbours, it will address one of the needs of our local fishing dependent communities. The cost efficiency and reliability can be improved for the creel fishermen based in Ardglass and Portavogie, helping sustain small coastal fisheries.”

Alderman Carson continued, “I would encourage everyone who feels they may benefit from this financial support to contact the SEA FLAG office to discuss potential projects.”

SEA FLAG supports projects which impact the fishing dependent communities of Ardglass, Kilkeel, Portavogie and surrounding areas. The fund supports a broad range of projects which focus on job and business creation, economic growth, social inclusion and providing support to the fishing dependent communities. Funding can be sought under the themes of; Diversification, Adding Value, Social Inclusion, Environmental and Building Capacity.

For further information please contact a member of the SEA FLAG team on 0330 137 4051.

Pictured from Left to Right: Eddie Robinson, Portavogie harbour master; David Lindsey, Northern Ireland Fisheries Harbour Authority project manager; Councillor Terry Andrews, vice-chairman of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council; Alderman Bill Keery, Mayor of Ards and North Down Borough Council; James Kelly, representative of Portavogie Inshore Crab Fishermen; and Alderman Angus Carson SEA FLAG Chair.

Applications will be accepted up to 30 April 2020 for consideration at the next subsequent FLAG assessment meetings. The new timetable can be found below:

Application supporting documents listed below must be submitted to the SEA FLAG Admin Office in hard copy or electronic to sea@nmandd.org prior to submitting an application: –

• Business Plan (New Business, the proposed investment would have an impact on the operation’s profitability, income or operational costs or projects over £25,000)
• Written evidence of Match Funding or evidence of match funding being sought (e.g. bank statement, loan or overdraft facility)
• Procurement exercise completed (please ensure you obtain a copy of the programme procurement procedures or contact the office to arrange a procurement meeting)
• Evidence of permissions, planning consents & licences
• Leases on lands & buildings/ownership evidence (10 years)
• Insurance certificates (if relevant)
• Sole Trader – Certified proof of identification (see 8.2 of guidance notes)

If you are working towards the deadline above, we would be grateful if you could contact us as early as possible so that we can help you work towards this date.

Further guidance in relation to the above or to arrange a procurement meeting please contact the SEA FLAG Admin Team.

Applications and supporting documents received after the above date will not be considered until the subsequent meeting.