WELSH Government funding is ‘crucial’ to the return of Pembrokeshire Fish Week in 2016.

The event will be in partnership between Pembrokeshire County Council and the Port of Milford Haven.

That’s what the Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee were told on Wednesday (Feb 2) by Head of Regeneration Martin White.

“After discussions with the port authority,” said Martin White, “I am pleased to announce that yes, the Pembrokeshire Fish Week will return in 2016 in partnership between the county council and port authority.”

Questions were then directed to Mr White, with Councillor Guy Woodham asking: “On the report it mentions grant funding being sought, what’s the contingency if those applications are unsuccessful?”

Mr White replied: “We’ve had discussions with Welsh Government’s Major Events Unit and they have indicated they are looking forward to receiving our application and there is funding set aside.

"We will be submitting that application now as we’ve formalised the arrangements with the Port, there’s clarity on who does what.

“It’ll be a similar application to the previous support we’ve had from the Welsh Government.

“It is crucial we secure this funding in order to run Fish Week.”

Councillor Paul Harries then asked for clarity: “Bearing in mind that Newport did hold a Fish Week last year and that the port of Milford Haven are supporting Pembrokeshire Fish Week, is it going to become the Milford Fish Festival or are we looking at a Pembrokeshire, which other areas such as Fishguard, St Dogmaels, Newport, Pembroke can be involved in it?

“I’m just wary of it becoming the Milford Fish Week.”

Martin White replied: “It is important to stress that it’s the Pembrokeshire Fish Week.

“It is a week-long festival, county-wide, of which the open day in Milford port is a component thereof, but it is branded as the Pembrokeshire Fish Week.”

Scheduled for the opening weekend of Fish Week, this year's event will run for two days - Saturday, June 25, and Sunday, June 27.

Alec Don, chief executive at the Port, said: “I am delighted that Pembrokeshire County Council has announced that it is bringing back Pembrokeshire Fish Week and excited that we are staging the Milford Fish Festival once again in what will be Milford Marina’s 25th anniversary year.

"With support from Pembrokeshire County Council we are also able to extend the festival to a two-day event, making it bigger and better than ever.

“As last year, we will be looking to the business community to support us through sponsorship and to stall holders and entertainers for their attendance on the day to make this year’s event one to remember.”

Further details of how people can get involved, and full event information, will be released in the near future.