More funding announced for fishing businesses and marine organisations

Marine Fund Scotland will see its purse increased by £7.4 million

Author: Finlay JackPublished 5th Apr 2022

Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, Mairi Gougeon, was at Peterhead Fish Market this morning after £7.4 million in extra funding was put towards Marine Fund Scotland.

The fund was only launched last year after the country exited the EU, leaving the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.

Ms Gougeon said, "It's really important that we do what we can to support the industry, so that's where funds like this are really critical and enabling us to do that, especially with all the pressures that the industry has faced over the past while between the pandemic and Brexit.

"Over the course of the past year we've spent around £14 million on helping our marine industries and aquaculture too.

"We're funding a vessel slipway in Macduff, we're providing safety equipment and giving funding to the North East Fishermen's Training Association as well, to help with safety training.

"We've also helped new entrants enter the fishing industry as well, helping them purchase a stake in a vessel, for example."

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