More than 300 new jobs will be created as a result of £2.3 million funding to improve and modernise fisheries and aquaculture businesses around Scotland.
A total of 124 projects will benefit from grants under the final funding round of the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) programme, which will also help safeguard 1,842 existing jobs in the sector.
The funding will make the sector more sustainable and profitable, by improving port infrastructure, processing plants, the quality of fishing vessels and product quality.
Fisheries Minister Ross Finnie said:
"I'm pleased that we have been able to support the commitment, initiative and vital business acumen of our fisheries industry. The FIFG programme has provided critical assistance to an industry which has had to evolve and develop at a pace in order to remain world class.
"These are innovative projects. There is assistance for a study of the development of Scottish fisheries for squid and nephrops, and a programme aimed at improving the long-term prosperity of the Clyde fisheries.
"The FIFG programme will make the industry more competitive in international markets, and our commitment to the future of our fishing industry will remain as we move to a new European Fisheries Fund."
