The latest round of awards from the first year of the Marine Fund Scotland (MFS) has provided fishing businesses and marine organisations in coastal communities with £7.4 million in funding.
Overall, around £14 million has been awarded so far in 2021/22 across a range of projects, including supporting young fishers to enter the industry, promoting sustainable aquaculture, protecting the marine environment and supporting Scotland’s coastal communities with improved infrastructure and facilities.
“We are investing in Scotland’s seafood sectors, creating and maintaining jobs and livelihoods, while also helping to protect Scotland’s marine environment,” said Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon.
“Future Marine Fund Scotland awards will play a key role in supporting the sustainable development of our Blue Economy outlined in the Vision document I launched last week.
“We will also continue to press the UK government to respect devolution of marine funding and recognise the size and importance of Scotland’s marine sectors,” she added.
In this latest round, vessel access at Macduff harbour slipway will be improved with an award of £102,000 and the North East Fishermen’s Training Association was awarded funding of £14,700 for safety training equipment including life jackets and survival suits as well IT equipment.
The full list of awards can be found here at the Scottish government website.
