01/09/2026
🚨 GOOD NEWS FOR FISHERMEN — TRAINING FUNDING JUST BECAME MORE ACCESSIBLE! ⚓️
A positive change has been announced around funding for voluntary training for fishermen.
The previous 24-month fishing experience requirement has been reduced to just 6 months for fishermen wishing to access funding for voluntary training.
That means more fishermen can now take the opportunity to develop their skills, improve their safety knowledge and progress within the industry.
⚓️ What you need to know:
✅ 6 months fishing experience is now required to access funding for voluntary training.
📅 The 6-month period starts from the date of your Sea Survival qualification.
🛟 You must have completed all 5 mandatory training courses, with your training recorded on the Seafish training database.
📋 If you have completed any non-Seafish qualifications, proof must be provided before a funding application is submitted.
⚓️ Funding can also be applied for Bridge Watchkeeping training, including the relevant 2/5-day courses.
❗️Importantly, the 24-month fishing experience requirement remains in place for the award of the Under 16.5m Skipper’s qualification.
This is a really positive step towards encouraging fishermen — particularly those newer to the industry — to continue developing their knowledge and skills.
Training isn’t just about qualifications. It’s about making sure we have safer, more capable fishermen for the future.
If you’ve got 6 months at sea and are considering your next qualification, now is a good time to speak to your training provider and find out what funding may be available.
⚓️ Invest in yourself. Safer today. Stronger tomorrow.
