Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead has encouraged more applications as he announced that, in a UK first, eight Scottish fisheries local action groups have won a share of the EMFF worth £6.5 million to support and develop the fishing industry in key areas.
Mr Lochhead said: “The fishing and aquaculture industries make a vital contribution, providing jobs and sustaining services, in many coastal communities around Scotland. The EMFF provides funding to support fishermen, sustainable aquaculture, the processing sector and the communities that depend on them.
“We have already seen applications being made and I would encourage other eligible groups to think about whether they could benefit from this funding.
“For the first time in the UK, I have approved an allocation for eight Fisheries Local Action Groups which will benefit communities through funding job creation, diversification opportunities, opportunities for training and promotion of environmental measures.
“I am confident the local groups will make a real difference in the coastal communities they serve – from Shetland to Dumfries and Galloway.”
The Fisheries Local Action Groups receiving funding are:
- Eilean Siar - £0.528
- Shetland Islands – £0.485
- Orkney Islands - £0.482
- Highland & Moray - £1.006m
- North East - £1.437m
- Forth - £1.052m
- Argyll & Ayrshire – £0.985m
- Dumfries and Galloway - £0.580m
