Guy Barnett,Minister for Primary Industries and Water
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is investing $2 million over two years to help the seafood sector diversify and invest in value-adding infrastructure.
As part of our Wild Fisheries Action Plan, the funding will help the seafood sector to make boat improvements by adopting new technologies, re-skill and upskill workers and diversify and develop markets and supply chains.
As part of the Plan, the Tasmanian Seafood Processor Grant Scheme, valued at $700,000, will open for four weeks from August 12 and will support processors to embrace value-adding and diversification infrastructure for activities including cooking, freezing and packaging.
The Tasmanian seafood industry is a key part of the Tasmanian economy and has been particularly hard hit by COVID 19 and restricted access to key export markets and limitations in the chain of supply.
In the face off high levels of uncertainty, the seafood processing sector in Tasmania faces the challenge of securing product and market access and this new funding will assist the sector to invest in different products to successfully diversify into new and established markets.
The Tasmanian Seafood Processor Grant Scheme involves a maximum grant of $80,000 per applicant to support initiatives that allow the sale of seafood into new market opportunities. The scheme is limited to businesses that currently hold a Fish Processing Licence.
Applicants must demonstrate business directly impacted by COVID-19 and/or other market disruptions related to COVID-19 since January 2020. They also need to demonstrate current and ongoing contributions to the industry and show the business will be profitable and sustainable into the future.
