Applications | Wild Fisheries Fund

The Salmon Scotland Wild Fisheries Fund has been established to prioritise investment from the salmon farming sector towards effective and practical wild fisheries management.

Applications are invited from relevant and constituted fisheries organisations within the shared space of Scottish salmon aquaculture and wild rod fisheries – for example Fishery Boards and Trusts, other constituted management bodies, other community associations.

2023 Applications

The fund opened for applications on 1st February 2023 and the closed on 31st March.

There was no limit to the size of grant that could be applied for, but Salmon Scotland encouraged both ambitious and small-scale applications, particularly by those organisations that historically have had limited funding opportunities available to them.

All applicants will report back on project progress and delivery after one year, which will be included in the Wild Fisheries Fund Annual Report. All projects should be completed within 18 months.

The fund is co-ordinated by fishery manager Jon Gibb, who is based in Fort William and has championed a constructive relationship between the farm-raised salmon sector and fisheries groups.

Get notified

Please note that the fund is now closed for 2023, but please share your email if you would like further information on WFF and to be notified when the next fund initiative is open.

FAQ

Is there a maximum or minimum sized grant that can be applied for?
No. There are no limits set on the size of grant available but as the fund is likely to be competitive, and in the interests of fairness, very large applications may be at a disadvantage in this competitive environment. Nevertheless, each application will be judged on its merits and its potential positive impact and any size of application, both large and small-scale, is encouraged.
We need new technical expertise that we don’t currently have. Can we apply for a new post?
The Wild Fisheries Fund will not support the salary of a new, permanent staff member. Nonetheless, the fund will consider a proportionate contribution to existing staff time that will be applied to the project for which funding is sought. If you need to hire a contractor or buy in specialist support this can be considered, but only for temporary roles directly linked to the project for which you are applying.
Can organisations apply for capital costs of purchasing equipment?
Yes the fund will consider applications for the purchase of equipment to deliver fishery management projects or investment in infrastructure for the benefit of fisheries and community involvement.
Can organisations apply for funding to support existing work?
Organisations may apply for existing projects providing they have a strong fit with the fund's aims and can evidence indicators of success.
If an organisation is successful will they receive full costs or is there an expectation of match funding?
Salmon Scotland will fund the full project's costs where possible; however, it may be that some costs applicable for the project would be ineligible under our current criteria, and therefore, we would require evidence of match funding in these circumstances.
Can an organisation apply for multiple projects or apply as a partnership as well as individually?
Yes, however, it will be noted that the organisation has more than one bid or has a partnership with other bids to be considered. It could be that in the interest of fairness, only one of the applications is funded.
My organisation received a grant under the Wild Salmonid Fund in 2021 or 2022. Can I re-apply?
Yes. Beneficiary organisations from WSF programme will be eligible to submit a grant application under the Salmon Scotland Wild Fisheries Fund.