Fishing sectors to net £9.3m boost

Some of the money will assist young Scottish skippers

The Scottish government has announced a £9.3m boost for the fishing, aquaculture and processing sectors.

The money from the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) will go to dozens of projects in Scotland in a bid to create or safeguard more than 1,000 jobs.

It includes £200,000 to help young skippers in the north east of Scotland buy a share in their own vessels.

Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said the substantial funding package was encouraging.

Small firms affected by the Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) outbreak earlier this year are also among the recipients.

Mr Lochhead said: "Fishing is a key industry for Scotland supporting many coastal and rural communities.

"Taken together, fisheries, fish farming and processing generate over £1bn each year for the Scottish economy.

"The substantial funding to improve training and encourage more young skippers into the industry is particularly encouraging."

It is the third round of EFF funding to be awarded.