Seafood Cornwall Training, the dedicated training agency for Cornwall’s fishing industry, is calling on fishermen from across Cornwall to make the most of the last round of free training on offer.

Funding has been extended until March 2014 for fishermen to refresh their basic sea safety courses and complete their Skipper’s Tickets for boats under 16.5 metres long. However, after March next year no further funding will be available.

Emma Button at Seafood Cornwall Training said: “It’s great news that fishermen can benefit from free courses for anothersix months. However with the winter being our busiest time delivering course, I urge fishermen to contact me and sign up to courses as soon as possible to secure their places.

"Courses generally take place in Newlyn, but I’m happy to provide courses in any other Cornish ports if there is sufficient interest. For example I’m holding an intermediate stability course, part of the under 16.5m ticket, in Mevagissey on the November 15, for fishermen from Mevagissey and surrounding ports. Anyone interested, please call me on 01736 364324.”

Paul Trebilcock, chief executive of the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation added: “Safety training is paramount to the wellbeing of fishermen and they should jump at the chance of free courses before this opportunity expires in March next year.”

Two separate areas of funding are available. Support for refresher safety funding where, to qualify, fishermen must have certificates (over three years old) for all of the four basic safety courses of Sea Survival, First Aid, Fire Fighting and Safety Awareness.

For those fishermen who want to progress their careers in fishing, funding is also available for Skipper’s Tickets for boats under 16.5 metres long. Fishermen with two years fishing experience qualify for funding. The course which includes five day watchkeeping and navigation, one day Intermediate Stability, one day GMDSS SRC VHF and two day Engineroom and Watchkeeping courses.

Seafish is able to continue funding delivery of these important training initiatives for experienced fishermen through to 31st March 2014 thanks to support from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

To find out more about Seafood Cornwall Training visit www.seafoodcornwalltraining.co.uk