Scotland’s fishing industry is to receive a major cash boost on Wednesday as the Fisheries Secretaty Richard Lochhead pledges £9million.
The funding is set to help create or safeguard over 1,000 jobs as well as improve links with retailers, improve efficiency and boost training opportunities.
Fishing, aquaculture and processing sectors are all set to benefit from the injection that comes from the European Fisheries Fund.
The north-east, Northern Isles and Western Isles are among the big winners.
Around £1.4million will go towards helping smaller firms in south-west Shetland affected by the outbreak of Infectious Salmon Anaemia, supporting 50 jobs.
Eight young skippers in the north-east will benefit from £200,000 to help them buy a share in their own fishing vessels.
Mussel farming and processing projects in the Western Isles, Shetland and Argyll have been allocated £350,000, with a further £360,000 being spread across the sector to improve training opportunities across the catching sector.
Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “Today’s investment is a timely shot in the arm for Scotland’s fishing, processing and aquaculture sectors, which together are worth over £1billion 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.
“Alongside the significant investment previously announced in the sector we are determined to do everything in our power help them come through the recession.”
