Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
The announcement today of a further £3.5 million to help larger sea fishing vessels brings the total made available to the seafood industry by the Scottish Government from new and existing funds to £22.5 million.
This comes as the Scottish Government has used UK funding as well as the existing Scottish budget to help meet the unique needs and circumstances of key sectors in the rural economy hit hard by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
While the four financial support schemes announced so far will in particular help businesses based in coastal and island communities, key employers around Scotland involved in fish processing and trout farming will also benefit.
The latest scheme will provide capped payments of up to £21,370 per vessel to businesses with a vessel over 12 metres landing shellfish such as crab, lobster, scallop and langoustine to help them meet fixed costs like insurance. It will also provide up to £42,740 for businesses operating more than one vessel. Amounts will be graduated by fleet segment and length category.
“Today the Scottish Government have introduced by far and away the most generous scheme for the fishing industry in the UK. In fact, for the last few weeks, it was the only scheme across the four nations to support and protect our seafood industry.
“This new funding clearly demonstrates that we stand ready to help our fishing fleet, fish processors and food industry at this extremely difficult time for them.
“After listening to calls from businesses who have seen their livelihoods disappear overnight as their markets have shut down in response to vital public health advice. This latest funding will benefit more than 220 Scottish vessels over 12 metres.
“Overall, more than 1,000 fishing and aquaculture businesses are now eligible for funding to help them, their crews and staff through this unprecedented period.
“I would urge the public to play their part in supporting these key contributors to Scotland’s food success story by buying Scottish seafood and fish if they can.”
“This new funding clearly demonstrates that we stand ready to help our fishing fleet, fish processors and food industry at this extremely difficult time for them.
“After listening to calls from businesses who have seen their livelihoods disappear overnight as their markets have shut down in response to vital public health advice. This latest funding will benefit more than 220 Scottish vessels over 12 metres.
“Overall, more than 1,000 fishing and aquaculture businesses are now eligible for funding to help them, their crews and staff through this unprecedented period.
“I would urge the public to play their part in supporting these key contributors to Scotland’s food success story by buying Scottish seafood and fish if they can.”
Elspeth Macdonald, CEO of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF), said:
“We welcome this further tranche of financial support for the Scottish fishing fleet, much of which has been under severe pressure since the COVID-19 pandemic hit our markets, first abroad and then at home. Most of the Scottish shellfish fleet has been tied up for almost a month now, as restrictions and lockdowns mean restaurant, hospitality and foodservice markets around the world that normally enjoy Scottish seafood, have essentially disappeared.
“Fishing businesses are floating businesses, so are not eligible for the COVID Small Business Grants Scheme based on rateable premises. We are grateful to Fergus Ewing and Marine Scotland for having regular dialogue with us, listening to industry, and acting quickly to provide support to the fishing industry and wider seafood sector, on which so many of our coastal communities depend.”
“Fishing businesses are floating businesses, so are not eligible for the COVID Small Business Grants Scheme based on rateable premises. We are grateful to Fergus Ewing and Marine Scotland for having regular dialogue with us, listening to industry, and acting quickly to provide support to the fishing industry and wider seafood sector, on which so many of our coastal communities depend.”
Elaine Whyte, a National Co-ordinator for Communities Inshore Fisheries Alliance, said:
“COVID-19 has had a great impact on our fishing communities, closing markets completely and reducing much-relied-upon income for coastal families nationally. We've worried greatly about securing some type of emergency assistance for this section of society which had lost the ability to earn a living at sea and provide for their families, many of whom were not eligible for other forms of current support.
“We sincerely thank the Scottish Government for addressing the needs of people who fish for a living, most of whom live in already fragile Scottish coastal communities. The support offered will hopefully help save vulnerable businesses which are the backbone of their villages and towns.”
“We sincerely thank the Scottish Government for addressing the needs of people who fish for a living, most of whom live in already fragile Scottish coastal communities. The support offered will hopefully help save vulnerable businesses which are the backbone of their villages and towns.”
