Stevenson Welcomes Scottish Government Support For Broch As First Minister Announces £4.5m Boost For Fisheries

Scotland's fishing industry received a welcome boost this week, as 65 projects across the country were awarded a total of £4.46 million under the EFF programme.

Among the 65 grant recipients are Braehead (SFO Enterprise) Ltd in Fraserburgh, who will receive £379,000 to towards upgrading facilities and purchasing new equipment, which will help create a 'Scottish Premium Langoustine Protocol' to maximise value of the langoustine catch.

Welcoming the news that a Fraserburgh company is to benefit, SNP candidate for the new Banffshire & Buchan Coast constituency Stewart Stevenson MSP said:

“This is good news for the Broch and will help develop the market for Scottish Langoustines.

“Support for our coastal communities has been a hallmark of the SNP Government, sometimes in the face of tough challenges from Europe. In Richard Lochhead we have an outstanding Fisheries Minister and the feedback I get suggests that those involved in the industry want to see the return of an SNP Government on May 5th in order to continue that good work.”

Announcing the funding as he opened the new deepwater berth at Peterhead Harbour, which was supported by £5.25 million from the Scottish Government and EFF, First Minister Alex Salmond said:

"The Scottish Government is committed to supporting our fishing industry, which makes a key economic and social contribution to coastal communities around the country. This latest funding will help deliver vital business improvements, boost productivity and create new jobs.

"Since May 2007 grants given under the European Fisheries Fund - match funded by the Scottish Government - has provided more than £50 million for some 550 projects throughout Scotland, supporting up to 6,600 jobs.

"This funding includes support for the modernisation of the Scottish fishing fleet, business improvements in the processing sector and skill training and development across the industry. It's vital that we continue to support an industry that in 2010 was worth more than £1 billion to the Scottish economy and ensure that Scottish fisheries has a sustainable, long-term future."