Seafood business grants available

A NSW Fisheries officer with Agriculture Minister, Adam Marshall, and Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch

Local seafood businesses and commercial fishers are being encouraged to apply for grants through the NSW Government’s Eat More NSW Seafood program to help boost the value of the NSW seafood industry.

Grants between $10,000 and $100,000 are on offer to businesses designed to go towards marketing and promotion capabilities.

The aim is to increase consumption of NSW seafood, drive the value of NSW seafood through increased awareness and consumption, and build industry capabilities and cohesiveness.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said the $500,000 on offer is to see more local seafood on more plates in more restaurants.

“The Central Coast’s seafood industry is worth millions, and we must support and protect it from the impacts of flooding, COVID-19, trade disruptions, bushfires and drought,” Crouch said.

“Grants will be provided for anything that promotes seafood caught in NSW waters, including events and marketing campaigns.

“There’s never been a better time to back our local seafood suppliers, restaurants and shops.

“Many of our local fishing businesses were hit hard by recent floods, and this is just one way we are helping them recover.”

Crouch said local fishing businesses recovering from the recent floods and storms could also receive support through the Special Disaster Grants.

“Up to $75,000 is available to all eligible primary producers on the Central Coast that were adversely impacted by the flooding in March,” Crouch said.

“The NSW Government is also offering low-interest loans of up to $130,000 through Service NSW for primary producers and other small businesses.”

Verified information source: Media release, May 26 Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast.