TWO companies in Looe will be among those to benefit from a scheme set up by Government to boost the fishing industry.

The Domestic Seafood Supply Fund was launched by Defra during the pandemic. The £1million plus fund is aimed at helping those businesses and organisations who are finding new ways to bring seafood to customers, and who are increasing the sale and consumption of locally caught species.

In Devon and Cornwall, some £469, 000 has been awarded to 10 projects.

These include Bluesail Fish based in Looe, who are to receive £70, 989 for the Looe Live Tanks Project, Fish for Thought in Bodmin, who will get £60,864 for their Project Cornwall 2020, and Pengellys in Looe, whose direct selling scheme will receive a £24,500 grant.

Among the biggest awards are two of £100,000, which will go to Newlyn based W Stevensons and Sons, for the creation of a virtual auction, and to Silver Dawn Fishing Ltd, who have diversified into processing and sales, and have created a start-up, Cornwall Fish Direct, selling sustainably caught, filleted local fish.