Marine / Local fishing and aquaculture businesses awarded marine funding
THERE are a number of local recipients in the latest round of pay-outs from Marine Fund Scotland.
Unst Shellfish Ltd has been awarded more than £26,000 to refit and upgrade a vessel to allow it to work in the mussel farming sector.
Hunter Shellfish has secured around £23,000 towards an upgrade of a mussel rope harvesting system.
Food producer Thule Ventus has been awarded roughly £4,000 to buy equipment to increase the production of its salt cod pate.
Meanwhile the owners of Katie LK 67 have secured £1,355 for fish bins and a jigging machine.
There is also substantial funding for young fishermen across Scotland entering the industry.
Marine Fund Scotland was launched by the Scottish Government last year to replace the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund following the UK’s exit from the EU.
A total of £7.4 million has been awarded in the latest round of funding.
Rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “I am delighted for those organisations and individuals whose applications were successful in this and previous rounds.
“We are investing in Scotland’s seafood sectors, creating and maintaining jobs and livelihoods, while also helping to protect Scotland’s marine environment.
“Future Marine Fund Scotland awards will play a key role in supporting the sustainable development of our Blue Economy outlined in the Vision document I launched last week.
“We will continue to use the limited funding we do have to deliver maximum effect through the Marine Fund Scotland, but will also continue to press the UK Government to respect devolution of marine funding and recognise the size and importance of Scotland’s marine sectors.”
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