The drive to make Scotland’s fishing industry safer has had a welcome boost thanks to funding announced by the Scottish Government. The funds will be used by Seafish to continue subsidising safety-related training to anyone working on commercial fishing vessels in Scotland.
Seafish used match funding provided by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency to apply for funding from the new Marine Fund Scotland. A total of £280,000 is now available for spending until 31st March 2022. Seafish now has funding in place to subsidise training for fishermen across the whole of the UK. Training is a key part of Seafish’s work to help make the fishing industry safer.
‘This funding has to be used by 31st March 2022, or it will be lost. Any training will need to have been completed by then so please get your applications in ASAP and get training courses booked,’ said Simon Potten, Head of Safety & Training at Seafish.
‘With training providers still getting back to normal after the pandemic and many operating with reduced class sizes, training places are at a premium. Apply for funding and book early to avoid disappointment.’
Commercial fishermen with experience and new entrants who want to work in the fishing industry are eligible for funding. The training must be formally recognised and delivered by a training provider approved by either Seafish, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency or the Royal Yachting Association.
‘This is great news for fishermen across Scotland,’ said Derek Cardno, Safety & Training Officer at the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation.
‘The funding will encourage more fishermen to do any safety training that they feel is vital to help keep them and their fellow crew members safe. It will also help career-minded fishermen to gain the qualifications they need to become the skippers, mates and engineers that the Scottish fishing industry needs.’
