Announcing the funding as he opened the new deepwater berth at Peterhead Harbour, which was supported by £5.25 million from the Scottish Government and EFF, First Minister Alex Salmond said: "The Scottish Government is committed to supporting our fishing industry, which makes a key economic and social contribution to coastal communities around the country. This latest funding will help deliver vital business improvements, boost productivity and create new jobs.
"Since May 2007 grants given under the European Fisheries Fund - match funded by the Scottish Government - has provided more than £50 million for some 550 projects throughout Scotland, supporting up to 6,600 jobs.
"This funding includes support for the modernisation of the Scottish fishing fleet, business improvements in the processing sector and skill training and development across the industry. It's vital that we continue to support an industry that in 2010 was worth more than #1 billion to the Scottish economy and ensure that Scottish fisheries has a sustainable, long-term future."
Among the 65 grant recipients are:
- £379,000 to Breahead (SFO Enterprise) Ltd in Fraserburgh, towards upgrading facilities and purchasing new equipment, which will help create a 'Scottish Premium Langoustine Protocol' to maximise value of the langoustine catch.
- £812,841 to City Markets Ltd in Glasgow, towards construction of a new, purpose-built fish market. The development will allow full implementation of food safety and traceability systems and safeguard 44 full-time jobs.
- £199,600 for Kenning Fishing Ltd in Mallaig, to carry out refurbishments on three vessels, including the installation of new engine rooms and fish room chilling.
- £79,300 award to the Barony College, to support the development of an aquaculture curriculum that promotes the career opportunities that this growing industry offers.
- Industry-wide skills development, including #27,600 for the Fish Industry Training Association to help deliver an 'Introduction to Commercial Fishing' programme, and £41,128 to the Scottish Seafood Training Association towards new entrants training.
Projects eligible for EFF grants include:
- Capital investment to support the development of the Processing & aquaculture sectors.
- The development and delivery of professional, safety and specialist skills training
- Improved management, sustainable exploitation of resources, improved hygiene standards and minimisation of environmental impacts
- Pilot projects in partnership with scientific or technical bodies
- Long term profitability in global and local markets to the benefit of producers and consumers
- Development of new markets and promotional campaigns including on quality, value enhancement and environmental credentials for fisheries and aquaculture products
- Campaigns to improve the image of fisheries and aquaculture products and image of the fisheries sector implementation of market surveys.
