Scottish fisheries get £11m of European funding

A total of 144 companies are to share the £10.9m grant from the European Fisheries Fund, BBC News reported Sunday.

The Scottish government said the funding could protect and create about 3,500 jobs in the industry.

Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead said the cash would help the industry invest in new equipment, increase production and bolster employment.

Beneficiaries of the grant include Hjaltland Hatcheries, which were given £1.07m towards the cost of upgrading its salmon farm on Shetland. Lighthouse Caledonia was awarded £756,000 to help build and equip a new processing facility at Stornoway on Lewis while Dee Fish in Kirkcudbright got a grant of £339,200 to help develop its shellfish processing plant.

Mr Lochhead said: "Hundreds of Scottish companies and initiatives have been supported by the fund since its launch, and I am encouraged by the number and diversity of the applications for this round.”