CONSULTATION events will be held in Weymouth and west Dorset today and tomorrow as part of a bid to boost the fishing industry.

The Dorset Coast Forum has established a Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) for Dorset and East Devon and is trying to secure more than £800,000 from the Marine Management Organisation, under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). This will benefit the local fishing industry and related sectors.

Workshops are being held to bring together all those involved in the wider fishing industry from Swanage to Beer. This includes local fisherman as well as related industries including processors, suppliers, aquaculturists, restaurants, local authorities and regulators.

The workshops will be looking at how these different sectors can work more effectively together, developing aquaculture, infrastructure and equipment improvements, ways to increase the value of fish and different skills, training and education needed.

From the meetings, organisers will be writing a programme of development which will be used if the group is successful in becoming the Dorset and East Devon FLAG. The success could bring in over £800,000 to this area which people will be able to bid for.

The workshops are being held in different locations to look more in-depth at the needs of the area, how these needs can be met and what priorities should be.

One will be held at Weymouth Pavilion tomorrow (Weds) at 6pm.

Another workshop is tonight at the Marine Theatre, Church Street, Lyme Regis, also from 6pm.

Refreshments will be provided This is a free workshop but register your attendance by replying to dorset.coast@dorsetcc.gov.uk or telephone number 01305 228615.