Other Issues

Additional quota for inshore fishing

Inshore fishers who usually target shellfish will now be able to diversify into new markets and access fishing opportunities worth up to £2 million.

The package aimed at helping the industry during the coronavirus (COVID-19), means that Scottish vessels will be able to access additional fish quotas around the North Sea and west coast of Scotland.

Scotland's seafood fishing sector has been one of the hardest hit due to the collapse of the international shellfish market, causing significant challenges for families, businesses and local communities in some of the most remote rural and island communities.

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Support for seafood industry

A total of 128 companies have now received support through the Scottish Government's Seafood Resilience Fund.

The scheme, which was launched in April, has paid out grants of £5.6 million to assist seafood processors impacted by the collapse of international markets and the shutdown of the UK's food service industry due to COVID-19.

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Funding to help aquaculture businesses affected by COVID-19

Shellfish growers and trout producers will receive a share of £800,000 of funding to help make improvements to their businesses to mitigate the impact of the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The grants from the European Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF) to 11 aquaculture businesses include nearly £100,000 for phase two of the expansion of Seaforth Mussels on the Isle of Harris and around £200,000 for new specialist trout harvesting equipment at Dawnfresh Seafoods Ltd in Lanark.

This investment for small aquaculture businesses is in addition to hardship payments of up to £27,000 which were launched as a direct response to COVID-19 last month.

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Round-up of Marine Scotland Science publications

Marine Scotland Science, as a core Scottish Government Division, is working to support SG's overall COVID-19 response.

It also continues to sustain critical marine science delivery and has over the last month produced a range of notable publications.

• Read more about the publications