It is reported that nearly 40 projects in Scotland have been awarded funds in European Fisheries Fund awards. Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead and Minister for Environment Roseanna Cunningham have announced the successful projects as they attended the world’s largest seafood show in Brussels. It is said that in total 39 companies are to be awarded funding totalling £2.9 million as part of the second portion of investment through the EFF. This will help secure 597 existing jobs and create 55 new ones.
According to the news the successful projects are spread across the fishing, processing and aquaculture sectors, which together are worth over £1 billion to the Scottish economy. Cunningham expressed that Scotland is rightly renowned around the world for the quality of its fish and shellfish. The fishing, processing and aquaculture sectors support thousands of jobs directly and indirectly, often in rural and coastal communities, and make a huge contribution to our economy, says Cunningham.
In his speech Lochhead said that fishing businesses, like all businesses, are having to use the economic downturn as an opportunity as well as addressing the challenges. He added that the injection of £2.9 million of European Fisheries Funding ensures that Scottish fisheries continue to offer consumers around the world unparalleled quality and taste.
Scott Landsburgh, CEO of SQS, opined that the fund is a welcome boost towards promoting Label Rouge Scottish Salmon as a premium Scottish food in the European market. Demand for high quality farmed salmon is high and continues to grow despite the economic climate.
