Fisheries projects to receive an £11m boost

Scotland’s fisheries industry is to share more than £11 million of European and Scottish Government funding.

The cash will support 65 projects across the country and could enable investment of up to £48m in sea fisheries, aquaculture and processing industries, the government said.

It is part of the first round of the European and Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF), with £5.9m from the EMFF and almost £5.5m from the government.

Rural affairs secretary Fergus Ewing confirmed the awards during a visit to the Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, which has previously received £580,000 from the fund to upgrade its factory and purchase equipment.

He said: “EU funding is a lifeline to many of our fragile coastal communities and helps to create and sustain jobs in the fishing sector.

“This funding package will provide crucial support for fishermen, sustainable aquaculture, the processing sector and the communities and jobs which depend on them.

“It will also benefit our renowned seafood by helping to promote Scottish produce on the world stage to premium markets.”

The UK Government has pledged to replace funding for European Union structural and investment funds such as the EMFF after Brexit, but some critics have argued uncertainty still remains.