A NEW fund will help local fishermen who operate out of Milford Haven fish docks make improvements to health and safety on board their vessels.

The Port of Milford Haven fund is designed to support Milford Haven based fishermen in accessing funding under Article 32: Health and Safety, from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).

The types of improvements eligible include investment in safety equipment and investment to improve health, hygiene and working conditions on board vessels.

“Safety is at the core of everything we do,” said Alec Don, chief executive at the Port.

“It is our primary goal, ashore and afloat, and it is important to us that organisations and individuals operating in our area do so to the highest possible safety standards.

"To ensure our customers do not miss out on potential funding from EMFF we decided to create a supporting fund which could provide all or part of the private funding required.

"We also want to encourage greater use of Milford Fish Docks, Wales’ largest fishing port, seeing it as an important asset for driving greater economic prosperity in the area.”

The Port of Milford Haven Fisherman’s Safety Fund is open to fishermen and fishing vessel owners who operate a vessel out of Milford Fish Docks.

Applicants must also be applying to EMFF under measure 1.8, Article 32 – Health and Safety.

Criteria and application forms can be found on the Port’s website www.mhpa.co.uk/fishermans-safety-fund/