The latest round of European Fisheries Fund (EFF) grants will give support to 78 projects across the sea fisheries, aquaculture and fish processing sectors.
Successful applications range from seafood companies – who will benefit from equipment and funding to access new markets to vessel modernisation and safety equipment.
Recipients include:
Laeso Fish in Peterhead – GBP 682,821 (EUR 805,318) for refrigeration and grading equipment which will improve efficiency and increase exports;
Cumbrae Oysters in Ayrshire – GBP 101,027 (EUR 119,151) for oyster growing equipment which will increase production and create four new jobs;
Franks Fresh Market in Glasgow – GBP 53,000 (EUR 62,508) for equipment to handle live lobsters, crab and shellfish, allowing the company to increase exports;
Burgon (Eyemouth) Ltd in Berwickshire – GBP 246,208 (EUR 290,377) for crab processing facilities and equipment, increasing efficiency and throughput and creating 12 new jobs;
Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) – GBP 438,007 (EUR 516,585) to supply a personal flotation device to every fisherman in Scotland, this initiative is aimed at improving the safety record of the industry and is linked to checks on professional qualifications and refresher training.
Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead, who announced the funding while hosting a Scottish reception at the European Seafood Exhibition (ESE) in Brussels, said:
Scottish seafood is unsurpassed on the world stage for excellence and taste and is increasingly sought after. The Seafood Expo is a great opportunity for Scottish companies to showcase their produce and boost exports by gaining access to new markets. Scottish companies secured projected sales of GBP 40 million (EUR 47.2 million), over a three year period, for attendance at last year’s event.
The sea fishing and aquaculture industries as well as the processing sector that supports both provide an important economic contribution to Scotland, particularly in our coastal communities. That’s why the assistance we have delivered through the fisheries support funds more than GBP 69 million (EUR 81.4 million) since 2000 is so important.
This latest round of grants is expected to trigger capital investment of over GBP 6 million (EUR 7 million), when the contribution made by businesses themselves is taken into account. The diverse range of projects being backed will help the fishing, aquaculture and processing industries to grow, as well as protecting jobs.
1995 – 2013 Fish Info & Services Co.Ltd