Views on how to spend almost £45 million on the Scottish fishing industry are being sought from today.
The new European Fisheries Fund is designed to:
modernise fishing boats to make fishing practices more sustainable
promote sustainable economic development in coastal communities
improve the international competitiveness of the fishing industry
Cabinet Secretary for Fisheries Richard Lochhead said:
“We have negotiated hard and secured the lion’s share of the UK’s allocation of the European Fisheries Fund. This funding is a real boost to Scotland’s sea fishing and aquaculture industries and the communities they support.
“Scotland’s fishermen are at the forefront of sustainable fishing in the UK and across Europe. This funding will be used to help keep them there.
“This consultation will help us make sure support and funding are targeted at projects that will make a difference, deliver change, maximise value and secure the future of Scottish businesses and communities.”
A formal application process for the grants will open this summer and the responses to the consultation launched today will help inform decisions on the priorities for funding.
The consultation will run until Friday June 27.
