The Scottish fishing industry is to benefit from £5.8m allocated to 121 projects from the latest round of the European Fisheries Fund (EFF).
Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead believes that support from the EFF scheme is vital to fishermen and coastal communities. The funds allocated will support modernisation, expansion and boost productivity.
"We need the fishing industry to be innovative and efficient, underpinned by modern and sustainable fishing practices. And grants under the EFF are helping to ensure that continues to be the case,” he said.
Fishermen, fish processor firms and the aquaculture industry have been supported, including:
- £313,528 for Lossie Seafoods in Buckie, for streamlining of fish processing systems that will allow the business to operate more efficiently and increase productivity
- £177,600 for C&A Thomason in Shetland, to help with sustainability and expansion work on its mussel farms, including new lines and mooring systems
- £167,406 for the Lunar Freezing and Storage Company in Peterhead, towards a new refrigeration holding tanks, for storage of pelagic species such as mackerel
- £158,995 to Summer Isles Foods Ltd, an Alness-based company that produces a range of smoked fish and marinated seafood products, towards development of new production facilities
- £71,838 for the vessel MV Adventurer II of Lochinver, for the upgrade of a new propulsion system and installation of an ice machine drum
- £67,600 for the Annan-based vessel Sea Lady, towards building a stern shelter to improve crew safety and upgraded fish handling equipment that will reduce damage to the catch
