THE Dorset fishing industry could be given a financial boost through an application to from a local action group.

The industry in Dorset and east Devon could secure more than £800,000 from the Marine Management Organisation, under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), which would go towards benefitting the local fishing industry and communities.

The Dorset Coast Forum, with the input of many organisations within the fisheries sector, submitted an application to form a Dorset and East Devon Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG).

The organisation has been successful in the first round of applications. Six FLAGS in England have got through to the next stage, where they are required to write a community led local development strategy to submit in the second round.

Bridget Betts from the Dorset Coast Forum, hopes the application is successful.

She said: “Getting a FLAG in Dorset and East Devon would be a real boost for these communities.

"We’re very excited to write our local development strategy with all those key organisations- working together with others is what we do best.”

The success in the first stage of the application is positive news for the Dorset and east Devon coast, from Swanage to Beer, as the money it could bring in would give the local industry an economic boost.

The money will be used to help local fisheries meet the new European Union Common Fisheries Policy, which requires the industry to become more sustainable and to maximise economic growth opportunities within the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.

Rob Clark from the Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA), said: “The vibrant fisheries along the south coast are hugely important to local communities and the economy of the region.

"Working with all interests in the fishery, in the establishing a community led local development strategy, will facilitate sustainable growth in this region.”

The local development strategy will be submitted to the Marine Management Organisation in August and the decision on which FLAGs will get funded will be made in October 2016.

The Dorset Coast Forum is a strategic coastal partnership, hosted by Dorset County Council, which looks at the long-term broad scale issues facing the Dorset coast and its inshore waters.

The forum covers from Lyme Regis to Christchurch out to 12 nautical miles.

Established in 1995, it has a long and successful history in providing information, delivering projects, events and conferences to marine and coastal sectors along the Dorset coast.

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