THE FISHING industry along Dorset's coast is celebrating after securing a major investment.

A total of £800,000 has been secured to support the Dorset and East Devon fishing industry as it faces policy reforms.

The Dorset Coast Forum and Dorset County Council have been successful in an application to form the Dorset and East Devon Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG), which covers the coastal area from Swanage in Dorset through to Beer in Devon.

The FLAG will be made up of representatives from fisheries and related sectors and businesses and organisations will be able to apply to the FLAG for funding for projects that will help boost the local fishing economy and help the fishing industry adapt to Common Fisheries Policy Reforms.

Hugh Wiltshire, of Portland Oystermen Ltd, said: "We congratulate the Dorset Coast Forum and Dorset County Council on their success in gaining this 800k FLAG grant.

"As a company who have been trying to develop aquaculture this will be a great opportunity to access much needed funding to help the local fisheries sector."

The money has been awarded from the Marine Management Organisation as part of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.

The Dorset Coast Forum submitted a Community-Led Local Development Strategy, which was written based on information gathered from stakeholders and the community through workshops and meetings.

The strategy will help guide the FLAG to make decisions on which projects will best help meet the needs of the local fisheries sector.

The FLAG aims to have staff to coordinate it in place in January next year and will launch its first call for projects in spring 2017, where the fisheries and related sectors will be able to apply for match funding for projects which meet the needs of the Local Development Strategy.

Councillor Colin Jamieson, Dorset County Council cabinet member for economy and growth, said: "Obtaining this funding will go a long way to assist these Devon and Dorset fisheries to improve their economic resilience, and consequential support that brings to related sectors in an uncertain economic climate."

If you would like to know more or get involved with the FLAG please contact dorset.coast@dorsetcc.gov.uk or call 01305 224833.