The Scottish Government is investing £14 million to support jobs
and reduce emissions in marine sectors.
A total of 60 projects focusing on innovation and sustainable
development will receive grants ranging from £1,500 to £1.7
million from the Marine Fund Scotland.
A number of the projects are expected to create new jobs and all
will support coastal communities. Recipients of funding this year
include projects to:
- Support more young people to enter the sector
- Promote Scottish seafood in the UK and abroad
- Install solar panels and upgrade insulation to reduce energy
costs and carbon emissions
- Provide equipment, training and skips to support beach cleans
- Develop shellfish storage tanks to be placed at sea to supply
lobster more sustainably
Speaking about the awards at the Scottish Seaweed Industry
Association Conference, Rural Affairs Secretary said:
“Scotland's marine economy is crucial to the
economic, social and cultural fabric of our rural,
coastal and island communities.
“Since 2021 the Marine Fund Scotland has awarded more than £70
million in grants to
390 projects, facilitating a total of
£150 million of investment and supporting jobs and
communities right around our coastline and throughout our
islands.
“I am pleased to announce these grant awards which will continue
to support projects showcasing key innovation and development in
our marine industries and coastal communities.”
Scottish Seaweed Industry Association CEO Rhianna Rees said:
“It's brilliant to see Scottish seaweed businesses recognised in
this round of Marine Fund Scotland awards. It shows how far the
sector has come, and how much work has gone into the development
of the seaweed industry. We are proud to stand alongside such a
driven, innovative community working to make seaweed a
cornerstone of Scotland's blue economy.
We are also thrilled to receive support from Marine Fund Scotland
for our own project to develop clearer, evidence-based food
safety standards for Scottish seaweed. As demand grows across the
UK and internationally, it's essential that producers have
practical, trusted, shared guidance from a reliable source. This
project aims to provide resources to help give businesses and
buyers the confidence to scale effectively.”
Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF) CEO Elspeth Macdonald said:
“Marine Fund Scotland has supported the continuation of SFF's
work on data collection that started well over a decade ago. The
Independent Fisheries Science Support Scheme (IFSSS) is the
latest iteration of these observer schemes, previously funded
through EFF and EMFF. These projects have been providing
essential and invaluable assistance to the Scottish Government in
collecting data vital to the delivery of international advice for
fishing opportunities.”
Background
Blue Economy
Vision
Details of all projects that have received grant funding from the
Marine Fund Scotland to date can be found here: Grants awarded - Marine
and fisheries grants - gov.scot
