Shellfish growers and trout producers in Scotland will receive a share of £800,000 to help mitigate the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The grants from the European Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF) to 11 aquaculture businesses include nearly £100,000 for phase two of the expansion of Seaforth Mussels on the Isle of Harris and around £200,000 for new specialist trout harvesting equipment at Dawnfresh Seafoods Ltd in Lanark.
This investment for small aquaculture businesses is in addition to hardship payments of up to £27,000 which were launched as a direct response to the pandemic last month.
“COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the seafood sector with the market for some products disappearing almost overnight, leaving many businesses at risk of financial ruin,” said Rural Economy Secretary, Fergus Ewing said.
“Aquaculture is an important part of our food and drink success story which we need to preserve. In addition to this EMFF funding, over the last month we have provided hardship funding payments worth more than £340,000 to 28 eligible shellfish growers and trout farmers,” he added.
Of the £800,000 awarded, £600,000 comes from the EU and £200,000 from the Scottish Government, with the latter already investing £22.5 million in the seafood sector in response to the pandemic.
As well as £800,000 to aquaculture businesses, phase nine of the EMFF also includes £1.4 million for two Marine Scotland Science projects and £58,950 for a Scottish Government project.
