Thanks to the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme a small scale coastal fishing business has been able to invest in safety upgrades, eco-friendly vessel maintenance and infrastructure to maintain catch quality and market value.
Key Facts
Applicant name: Greenstraight Scallops Ltd
- Location: Dartmouth, South West, England
- Type of project: Improving safety, promoting sustainability, enhancing supply chain infrastructure.
- Project value: £23,508
- Grant value: £18,806
- Date awarded: February 2024 - May 2024
Project details
Greenstraight Scallops Ltd is operated by James Kirkaldy, an expert free diver and environmentally conscious small-scale coastal fisherman. Harvesting scallops year-round within six miles of the coast from his 6.3m vessel Terry David, James supplies high-quality shellfish to local restaurants in Dartmouth.
With support from the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme (FaSS), James secured funding for three projects to improve diver and vessel safety, invest in eco-friendly maintenance, and enhance the shoreside infrastructure needed to preserve product quality and expand market access.
These investments include the purchase of a refrigerated vehicle, a new chest freezer, cool boxes, safety equipment, and the application of an eco-friendly copper coating to the vessel hull. They address critical safety needs and enable James to increase resilience in the business by expanding where and how he sells his catch.
James, Owner, Greenstraight Scallops Ltd:
Thanks to the FaSS I have been able to successfully deliver significant improvements which give me peace of mind - not just about safety at sea, but about the future of my business and the traceability and quality of my catch.
Project outcomes
- Improved safety and working conditions through upgraded PPE
- Safer vessel operations via a rebuilt deck and engine box, non-slip paint, and a new lifting davit which improves ability to bring catch on board and also doubles as the means to do an emergency recovery of a diver in the water if required
- Sustainable vessel maintenance with the application of an ocean-friendly copper coat and support for vessel lift-outs, pressure washing and storage
- New cold chain infrastructure including a refrigerated vehicle, chest freezer, cool boxes and ice packs to maintain product freshness and extend market reach
- Resilience in supply chain by enabling storage and supply of scallops out of season, helping to maintain consistent availability for premium markets
- Business growth projected turnover increase of 5% through enhanced quality control and expanded sales channels
- Sector benefits through demonstration of best practice in diver safety and environmentally responsible harvesting
Learn more
This case study demonstrates the legacy of the FaSS in supporting England's catching, aquaculture and processing sectors, as well as enabling projects that are improving the marine environment. It also supports MMOs commitment to ensuring a prosperous, innovative and sustainable future for the fishing industry.
