A £9.3 million funding package has been announced from the European Fisheries Fund (EFF), taking the total level of EFF investment for 2009 to more than £25 million.
It will be used to strengthen Scotland's processing sector, secure jobs in remote areas, trial new technologies, improve the efficiency of the fishing industry, and enhance the nation's reputation as a land of food and drink.
Young skippers looking to secure a share in their own vessels and small firms affected by the Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) outbreak earlier this year are among the successful applicants.
In excess of 1,000 jobs will be created and safeguarded as a result of this latest round of funding. Some of the successful awards include:
• £200,000 to help eight young fishermen buy a share in their vessels
• An additional £360,000 to improve training across the catching sector
• Ten aquaculture projects will receive over £1.4 million to help cope with the aftermath of ISA and support 50 new jobs
• Over £350,000 for mussel farming and processing projects on the west coast and Western Isles
Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said:
"Fishing is a key industry for Scotland supporting many coastal and rural communities. Taken together, fisheries, fish farming and processing generate over £1 billion each year for the Scottish economy.
"There is no question that 2009 has been a difficult year for some fleets, and 2010 will also be challenging. This funding provides further evidence that we will stand shoulder to shoulder with our fishing industry and processors and are determined to maximise the value of the catch and help them to achieve greater profitability."
