A Scots fishing charity is once again helping fund the fisheries managers and marine scientists of tomorrow.
The Scottish Fishermen’s Trust is funding three three-year bursaries worth £1000 for students doing the taught and research Masters in Applied Marine and Fisheries Ecology Programme at the University of Aberdeen.
Over the last three years the Trust – established by the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation to help promote, protect and conserve the marine environment – has provided bursaries for eight graduates and four current students doing the course at Aberdeen.
All of the funded students are now either employed directly within organisations such as NAFC Marine Centre in Shetland, Scottish Natural Heritage, Marine Conservation Society, Marine Science-Scotland, Irish Marine Institute or have gone on to do further study at PhD level in a range of areas of marine science.
Dr Beth Scott, lecturer at the University’s School of Biological Sciences, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive further support from the Scottish Fishermen’s Trust.
“Their backing has given us a fantastic opportunity to develop closer ties between University of Aberdeen students and the fishing industry.
“The awards have also been invaluable for those students who were selected to receive the bursaries which are won through a competitive process.
James Brown, Scottish Fishermen’s Trust chairman, added: “The first phase of bursary awards to Masters students at Aberdeen has proved a real success, including enhancing the exchange of information between course students and the fishing industry.
“I am delighted that the value of this type of support has been recognised by the Trust and that funding has been approved for the next three years.”
