Commercial fishermen suffered a significant drop in income after the export market collapsed overnight when the Island went into lockdown in March.
The fleet applied for emergency aid – and urged Islanders to buy direct from boats – as the industry faced what it described as its biggest ever threat.
Although individual fishermen were eligible for the government’s Co-Funding Payroll Scheme, Don Thompson, president of the Jersey Fishermen’s Association, said many members were still suffering hardship.
The payroll scheme ended for fishermen last month, and yesterday the government announced the launch of the Fisheries Support Scheme to help fishermen cover their costs during June and July.
It may be extended if it is deemed the fleet needs further support.
Don Thompson said: ‘The individual fishermen are greatly relieved.
‘We put in an application for funding 90 days ago, and that was done to try to ensure we still had a fishing fleet when the Covid crisis was over.
‘Things are starting to move now and the export market is starting to open up, but many fishermen are saddled with pretty hefty debts that need to be cleared.’
He added: ‘The funding has been a long time coming because it wasn’t clear from whose budget the funds were coming from, but it is very welcome indeed.’
The support will vary depending on the size of the boat, from £600 for each of the two months for smaller vessels to a maximum of £10,000 in total for June and July for the biggest boats.
There are about 55 fishing boats registered with the association, but as many as 130 in total in Jersey.
About 80% of catches are exported to countries including France, Italy and Spain.
Fishermen who have individual agreements with merchants on the Normandy coast are now shipping to Europe again, but the main export route is via Condor’s fast-ferry service to St Malo – a supply line which will not resume until next month at the earliest.
The fishermen have also been impacted by a drop in demand for seafood from the hospitality industry, which has seen pubs and restaurants only just start to reopen and hotels suffering a drop in custom as borders remain shut.
The £233,400 support package will be funded from the government’s general reserves. Governance and conditions for the receipt of funds have been set, and businesses in the fishing industry are being contacted with instructions on how to apply.
Announcing the scheme, Treasury Minister Susie Pinel said: ‘This support for the fishing industry, from the beginning of June, is in addition to the support that is being more widely offered to businesses.
‘A review will be conducted before the end of July to determine whether further support will be needed after that month.’
As well as thanking ministers, Mr Thompson has praised Islanders for buying direct from fishermen, many of whom opened ‘pop-up’ stalls on their boats and sold their fish over Facebook.
‘The big story for me is the response from the public during these last few months. They have helped the fishermen keep their heads above the water. Hand on heart, they are the only reason we still have a fishing fleet.’
Meanwhile, Mr Thompson expressed disappointment that ministers had not examined longer-term initiatives to help safeguard the industry. He said the association had suggested measures, such as funding the creation of a processing centre, to enable more fish to be processed in the Island and sold locally.
