Scotland''s fisheries sectors received a major lift this week with the announcement of £3 million in fisheries grants. Seventeen projects will share the funding as part of the latest round of European Fisheries Fund (EFF) grants.
The new investment will create 48 new jobs and safeguard 300 more in Scotland's fishing, processing and aquaculture sectors. Several of the projects have been fast-tracked as they are time-critical.
Shetland is to receive over £860,000, the Outer Hebrides almost £400,000, the Highlands & Moray over £280,000, and Aberdeenshire over £1.3 million.
This announcement brings the total level of EFF investment for the Scottish industry for 2009 to more than £17 million and counting.
New projects include:
• £1.3 million for Thistle Seafoods Ltd in Peterhead towards a factory extension to meet traceability requirements of its retail customers, will minimise waste packing, and result in an additional 10 full-time positions
• £50,998 for Gairloch Harbour in Inverness-shire for provision of ice making and storage facilities
• £16,448 for the Peterhead-based MV Endurance fishing vessel to increase fuel efficiency and increase catch quality
Rural Affairs and Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead made the announcement on a visit to the Orkney Fishermen's Society, which recently received £55,000 through the EFF to upgrade its premises and meet increased market demand for brown crabs and lobsters. The factory at Stromness is now the largest processor of brown crabs in the UK.
Five organisations in Orkney have shared funding of £286,000 already this year. Mr Lochhead said:
"This investment is a timely boost for our fishing, processing and aquaculture sectors, which together are worth over £1 billion to the Scottish economy.
"The high level of applications being received is further evidence that Scotland is rising to the challenge when it comes to developing innovative solutions and making our fleets more sustainable.
"From modernising vessels in our ports and making them more fuel efficient to strengthening the processing sector, the spin-offs for the wider economy are there for all to see.
"Alongside the significant investment previously announced in the sector we are determined to help them come through the recession even stronger than before."
