Fisheries projects to receive £11m in Funding
Scotland's fisheries industry is to share more than £11 million of European and Scottish Government funding.
Scotland's fisheries industry is to share more than £11 million of European and Scottish Government funding.
The cash will support 65 projects across the country and could enabling investment of up to £48 million in sea fisheries, aquaculture and processing industries, the Government said.
It is part of the first round of the European and Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF), with £5.9 million from the EMFF and almost £5.5 million from the Government.
Rural Affairs Secretary Fergus Ewing confirmed the awards during a visit to the Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, which has previously received £580,000 from the fund to upgrade its factory and purchase equipment.
He said: EU funding is a lifeline to many of our fragile coastal communities and helps to create and sustain jobs in the fishing sector.
This funding package will provide crucial support for fishermen, sustainable aquaculture, the processing sector and the communities and jobs which depend on them.
It will also benefit our renowned seafood by helping to promote Scottish produce on the world stage to premium markets.''
The UK Government has pledged to replace funding for European Union structural and investment funds such as the EMFF after Brexit, but some critics have argued uncertainty still remains.
In the absence of clarity from the UK Government, I will do all that I can to provide certainty and reassurance to the industry and get on with the day to day business of government,'' Mr Ewing said.