PUBLISHED WESTERN MORNING NEWS: 9 OCT 2009 

The Cornwall Marine Network is to join forces with the Cornwall Sustainable Tourism Project to support the county's marine leisure industry, as part of a GBP450,000 bid win.

Cornwall Development Company (CDC) for Cornwall Council has awarded both companies contracts to implement activities as part of the pan-European Nautisme Espace Atlantique 2 (NEA2) project. CDC developed and won the GBP450,000 bid for the project, which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and is focused on the development of the watersports sector in the Atlantic area.

Last night, it was announced that it had sub-contracted Cornwall Marine Network (CMN) and the Cornwall Sustainable Tourism Project (CoaST) to carry out a significant part of its agenda, in two separate deals worth a combined GBP189,000.

The three-year deals will see the two bodies collaborate to green up the credentials of Cornwall's marine industry and open up opportunities for members of the public to enjoy the diverse sporting opportunities in Cornwall's waters. The collaboration will see the partners raise awareness of the marine leisure industry, with a focus on reducing the carbon footprint and waste produced by the industry.

It will also encourage the development of marine skills, increase innovation within the sector and encourage disadvantaged people to participate in water sports.

Cornwall Marine Network's chief executive, Paul Wickes, said: "The project has been two years in the development phase, so we are keen to get started and deliver positive outcomes on our network of over 300 marine businesses.

 "NEA2 is a great opportunity that brings more European funding for Cornwall - a much-needed boost during this period of economic and environmental uncertainty. "Particularly, the project will aid the development of marine skills in our county, provide innovative marine businesses with much-needed support and raise awareness of water sports so that greater participation can be achieved - the lifeblood of the marine sector."

Cornwall Sustainable Tourism Project's managing director Manda Brookman said: "NEA2 provides Cornwall's marine leisure industry with an opportunity to improve its green credentials. "We'll be working closely with local partners Community Energy Plus to collaborate with Cornwall Marine Network and the Royal Yachting Association's Green Blue campaign to spread the word and give practical advice to businesses, clubs and watersport users across the county. "We've recently met with our European partners who are keen to exchange best practice and work with Cornish organisations to create ways forward for developing a sustainable and resilient marine sector."