During a Scottish reception held at the European Seafood Exposition in Brussels this week, Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead announced funding for 78 projects across the sea fisheries, aquaculture and fish processing sectors.
The latest round of European Fisheries Fund (EFF) grants will give support to applications ranging from seafood to vessel modernisation and safety equipment.
Recipients include:
- Laeso Fish Ltd in Peterhead - £682,821 for refrigeration and grading equipment which will improve efficiency and increase exports
- Cumbrae Oysters Ltd in Ayrshire - £101,027 for oyster growing equipment which will increase production and create four new jobs
- Franks Fresh Market in Glasgow - £53,000 for equipment to handle live lobsters, crab and shellfish, allowing the company to increase exports
- Burgon (Eyemouth) Ltd in Berwickshire - £246,208 for crab processing facilities and equipment, increasing efficiency and throughput and creating 12 new jobs
- Scottish Fishermen’s Federation - £438,007 to supply a personal flotation device to every fisherman in Scotland, this initiative is aimed at improving the safety record of the industry and is linked to checks on professional qualifications and refresher training
“This latest round of grants is expected to trigger capital investment of over £6 million, when the contribution made by businesses themselves is taken into account. The diverse range of projects being backed will help the fishing, aquaculture and processing industries to grow, as well as protecting jobs,” said Mr Lochhead.
