Fergus Ewing announces £8.5m in funding for aquaculture

Nearly £8.5m in funding will be handed out to sea fisheries, aquaculture and processing businesses  to help boost growth as part of the latest round of the European and Maritime Fisheries Fund.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing announced the funding, which will be divided between 86 projects to help upgrade or modernise equipment, during a summer tour of the highlands.

The Scottish Government said a £1.7m grant will go to fund refurbishment of the Pierowall Pier in Orkney, while MJ French Fish Export Ltd in Fraserburgh will receive £362,000 to upgrade its processing facility.

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Ewing said: “Our rural economy plays a crucial role in supporting communities across the country which is why investment through the EMFF is so important.

“This support will help processing businesses to expand and enhance their work and make the day to day routines of fishermen easier and safer, by improving the quality of its products and enabling them to develop more environmentally friendly methods.

“I will continue to put pressure on the UK Government to engage Scotland on its thinking regarding future funding arrangements in order that we can shape a set of arrangements which respond to Scotland’s needs and reflect the devolved nature of marine policy.”