The Scottish seafood industry is to receive £1.8 million to help businesses recover from the economic ravages of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Following the UK’s exit from the EU, the £14 million Marine Fund Scotland was set up as a one-year replacement for the European Maritime Fisheries Fund. The funding, managed by Seafood Scotland, will help businesses access new markets both in the UK and abroad as well as encourage sustainability and improve quality assurance and accreditation.
Announcing the funding on a visit to processors Joseph Robertson in Aberdeen, Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon, said that the past 16 months had been devastating for the seafood sector, which she said was a crucial part of the rural economy. ““The funding for Seafood Scotland will help businesses explore new markets, giving them the support to promote their products across the UK and further afield,” she said.
The return of international trade shows together with online events will help buyers experience first-hand the broad range of Scottish seafood available. The ‘buy local, support local’ campaigns will also encourage growth in the domestic market.
As the hospitality industry continues to re-open, Seafood Scotland will also work with leading chefs to make Scottish seafood a premium item on menus across the globe.
“The Scottish seafood supply chain is now firmly in recovery mode,” said Donna Fordyce, chief executive of Seafood Scotland, “with ambitious plans to access new markets and to grow existing trade relationships.”
