Scottish Government unveil new support fund for fishing industry
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A NEW Scottish Government support package for the nation's fishing industry has been welcomed.
Totalling £7.75 million, the financial aid is designed to help fishermen, seafood businesses and ports and harbours impacted by the coronavirus and Brexit.
The package includes £1 million to be made available to support the investment plans of ports and harbours faced with a loss of income through landing fees.
It also includes up to £300,000 to assist the welfare and emergency support activities of the Fishermen’s Mission in recognition of the hardship facing people working in the sector at this time.
The remaining £6.45million will be given for the Seafood Producers Resilience Fund which will provide support to eligible shellfish catchers and producers.
News of the funding was welcome by local MSP Stewart Stevenson (Banffshire and Buchan Coast).
He said: “This is very welcome support from the Scottish Government in the absence of any further resilience support from the UK government.
“As a result, the Scottish Government is stepping in to support the industry and the coastal communities affected by the coronavirus pandemic and Brexit.
“It is only right we ensure we help meet the emergency needs of crews by providing welfare support through the Fishermen’s Mission.
“We must ensure those worst impacted are supported in what is a very challenging time for the fishing industry.”
Full details of the Seafood Producers Resilience Fund will be available on the Marine Scotland section of the Scottish Government website from Friday February 5.
Funding for new seafood experts to help businesses navigate paperwork has already been announced by the Rural Economy Secretary, Fergus Ewing.
The Scottish seafood industry is highly reliant on exports, particularly to the EU. In 2019, seafood accounted for 57 per cent of Scotland’s overall food exports and had a value of approximately £1.02 billion.
The EU is Scotland’s most significant overseas export market for seafood products, accounting for around three-quarters (76 per cent) of Scottish seafood exports in 2019, and worth £777 million. Scotland is a net exporter of seafood to the EU, with a trade surplus of £615 million in 2019.
