Fishermen across England will be eligible for grant support towards the replacement of engines and gearboxes after the UK Marine Management Organisation announced an expansion to the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme. The change, published by the MMO on 15 September 2026, makes grant contributions available for new propulsion and transmission equipment on vessels.
The MMO said the expansion brings engine and gearbox works into scope under the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme, known as FaSS. The announcement makes clear the new support is intended to assist vessel operators with the capital costs of upgrading these components.
The adjustment to FaSS means applicants may now seek grant contributions specifically for new engines and gearboxes fitted to fishing vessels. The measure was described as an expansion of the scheme and not a replacement of existing support already within FaSS.
Fishermen across England were named as the primary beneficiaries in the MMO’s statement. The announcement emphasises that the change applies to vessels operating in England rather than to wider UK or international fleets.
Scope of the expansion
The published item states the scheme now covers grant contributions towards new engines and gearboxes on vessels. It identifies these items as new areas of eligible expenditure under FaSS, signalling a broadened range of capital costs that may attract support.
The MMO’s note on 15 September 2026 sets out that these contributions will be available through the existing Fisheries and Seafood Scheme framework. It does not, within the published summary, specify grant rates, eligibility thresholds or application deadlines.
Intended beneficiaries and next steps
The announcement identifies fishermen across England as the group intended to benefit from the change. Operators seeking the new support will need to consult FaSS guidance to establish how the altered scheme applies to their vessel and circumstances.
The MMO’s publication on 15 September 2026 is the formal notification of the policy change. Those affected will expect further detail within the scheme documentation about how to apply, which items qualify, and any administrative requirements, though those particulars were not included in the short announcement.
The expanded scope of FaSS represents a formal widening of the types of capital expenditure for which grant contributions can be sought. For now, the confirmed facts are limited to the inclusion of new engines and gearboxes and the MMO’s publication date; operators and stakeholders will need to await fuller guidance for operational detail.