This Scheme makes provision for payments of grant to the sea fishing industry to address financial difficulties as a result of the global Coronavirus pandemic. The grants are to assist with the fixed costs of Northern Ireland fishing boats that deploy static fishing gear to catch crustaceans or molluscs.

Articles 3 and 4 define an eligible person and eligible Northern Ireland fishing boat for the purposes of the Scheme. An eligible Northern Ireland fishing boat must, among other things, be insured for commercial sea fishing purposes, conducted most of their fishing activity using static fishing gear, landed the majority of its catch into UK ports, and had declared landings in 2019 valued at more than £10,000.

Article 5 provides that the Department may award a grant to an eligible person for the qualifying period and only where it complies with the Commission Communication and Commission Decision of 8 December 2020 which approved amendments to the Temporary Framework for State aid measures in the United Kingdom to support the economy in the current COVID-19 outbreak.

Article 6 provides that the Department must publish a notice inviting applications for the grant, and also provides for the form and manner in which applications are made.

Article 7 provides for the Department to, approve or reject applications, make payments of grant, and notify applicants of its decision regarding payment.

Article 8 provides for the calculation of the grant, and the maximum amount payable in respect of an eligible fishing boat.

Article 9 provides for a review of the decision by the Department to reject an application.

Article 10 provides for the withholding and recovery of grant in certain circumstances.

Article 11 revokes the Sea Fish Industry (Coronavirus) (Fixed Costs) Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2020 and the Sea Fish Industry (Coronavirus) (Fixed Costs) (Amendment) Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2020.