Scotland’s fisheries sectors received a major boost today with the announcement of  £3 million in fisheries grants.

Seventeen projects will share the funding as part of the latest round of European Fisheries Fund (EFF) grants. The new investment  will create 48 new jobs and safeguard 300 more in Scotland’s fishing, processing and aquaculture sectors. Several of the projects have been fast-tracked as they are time-critical.

Here is a full list of today’s successful applicants, including grants awarded. Overall totals granted are;

• Shetland total: £860,636
• Outer Hebrides total: £398,184
• Highlands & Moray total: £283,392
• Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire total: £1,343,510
• Argyll, The Isles, Loch Lomond, Stirling & Trossachs total: £105,246
• Pan-Scotland total: £191,529

Rural Affairs and Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead made the announcement today(7th July 2009) on a visit to the Orkney Fishermen’s Society, which recently received £55,000 through the EFF to upgrade its premises and meet increased market demand for brown crabs and lobsters. The factory at Stromness is now the largest processor of brown crabs in the UK. Five organisations in Orkney have shared funding of £286,000 already this year.

Mr Lochhead said: ‘Today’s investment is a timely boost for our fishing, processing and aquaculture sectors, which together are worth over £1 billion to the Scottish economy. The high level of applications being received is further evidence that Scotland is rising to the challenge when it comes to developing innovative solutions and making our fleets more sustainable.

‘From modernising vessels in our ports and making them more fuel efficient to strengthening the processing sector, the spin-offs for the wider economy are there for all to see.

‘Alongside the significant investment previously announced in the sector we are determined to help them come through the recession even stronger than before’.

EFF additional awards to Argyll

Additional funding

• Crinan Boatyard Limited ,Argyll, for Construction of a second slipway and additional carriages – to be completed in 2009. EFF 5,263 Scottish Government 44,983 Other Public Bodies 55,000 = Total 105,246

Funding for Gear configuration change to  improve selectivity

• MV “Atlas”  Campbeltown to be paid in 2009. EFF 300, Scottish Goverment 16 = Total  316
• Caledonia Trawlers Ltd: MV “Dalriada” & MV “Caledonia” Tarbert,to be paid in 2009. EFF 630, Scottish Goverment 34 = Total 664
• MV “Our Lassie” Tarbert, to be aid in 2009. EFF 290, Scottish Goverment 16 = Total 306
• MV “Ella M” Tarbert, to be paid in 2009. EFF 220, Scottish Government 12 = Total  232
• MV “ Leven Mor” Isle of Bute, to be paid in 2009. EFF 311, Scottish Goverment 17 = Total  328
• J & A Parkhouse: MV “Steadfast” MV “Scotia Star” Tarbert, to be paid in 2009. EFF 549. Scottish Goverment 29 = Total 578
• MV “Golden Strand” Tarbert, to be paid in 2009. EFF 283, Scottish Goverment 15 = Total 298
• MV “Amy Harris III” Campbeltown, to be paid in 2009. EFF 375, Scottish Goverment 20 =Total 395
• MV “Sunbeam” Tarbert, to be paid in 2009 . EFF 150, Scottish Goverment 8 = Total 158
• MV “Girl Sharon” Argyll, to be paid in 2009. EFF 311, Scottish Goverment 17 = Total 328

NOTE 1: We have asked for clarification from the Scottish Government on which ‘Tarbert’ each of the above boats are from. It is possible that not all of these are from Tarbert in Argyll’s Kintyre peninsula.

NOTE 2: Projects eligible for EFF grants include:

• The development and delivery of professional, safety and specialist skills training
• Improved management, sustainable exploitation of resources, improved hygiene standards and minimisation of environmental impacts
• Pilot projects in partnership with scientific or technical bodies
• Long term profitability in global and local markets to the benefit of producers and consumers
• Development of new markets and promotional campaigns including on quality, value enhancement and environmental credentials for fisheries and aquaculture products
• Campaigns to improve the image of fisheries and aquaculture products and image of the fisheries sector implementation of market surveysToday’s announcement brings the total level of EFF investment for the Scottish industry for 2009 to more than £17 million and counting.

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