BRITAIN'S beautiful seaside towns have been given a £1m funding boost to improve recreational sea fishing.
Eligible coastal communities, including resorts, will be able to bid for between £10,000 and £100,000.
The much-needed funding can then be used to upgrade recreational fishing facilities, protect the environment and help fishermen become more sustainable.
It's estimated two million people take to UK waters for fishing fun every year.
The hobby contributes more than £800m to the economy.
And it can greatly boost local trade through activities such as fishing tournaments, boat rentals and tourism.
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It was today revealed seaside resorts, including towns, villages, or hotels based on the coast, can apply for the boost.
The locals can then use the funding to either upgrade current fishing facilities, or build new ones, to attract more eager anglers to their waterfront towns.
This can be anything from enhancing piers and harbours, to building more accessible paths, floating walkways and pontoon dockings, or promoting fishing tournaments.
Applications have now opened, with coastal townspeople encouraged to apply before the funding cut off on June 19.
Fisheries Minister Mark Spencer said: "Recreational sea fishing is a small but mighty part of our fishing industry.
"It contributes to the economic growth of coastal communities and is a much-loved sport that can improve the health and well-being of those who take part.
"This new round of funding will encourage the development and expansion of the sport in coastal areas, promote and support more sustainable fishing practices, and ultimately make recreational fishing bigger and better for anglers across the UK."
John Lamont, UK Government Minister of Scotland, added: "The £100 million UK Seafood Fund is a crucial part of our commitment to help level up coastal communities and deliver the Prime Minister’s priorities of growing the economy and creating better-paid jobs and opportunity right across the country.
"So far, Scotland’s world renowned fisheries, seafood and aquaculture sectors have won £8.4 million in grants from the fund and I urge eligible applicants to come forward and bid for investment for new and improved infrastructure for recreational sea fishing in Scotland."
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The fresh £1m boost comes as part of a wider £100m UK Seafood Fund scheme.
The money supports projects to enhance piers and harbours, create more accessible paths, floating walkways and pontoon dockings and promote fishing tournaments.
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