{"id":1460,"date":"2014-02-27T11:07:25","date_gmt":"2014-02-27T11:07:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.scotland.gov.uk\/coastal-monitoring\/?p=1460"},"modified":"2019-04-04T09:17:20","modified_gmt":"2019-04-04T08:17:20","slug":"fishing-hardship-fund","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/marine-scotland\/2014\/02\/27\/fishing-hardship-fund\/","title":{"rendered":"Fishing hardship fund"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Funding grants for Scottish fishermen.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

A fishing hardship fund has awarded \u00a31.9 million to white fish and prawn fishermen from across Scotland.<\/p>\n

The cash boost was announced last summer by the Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead. The Scottish Government took this initiative in response to very poor catches of prawns in the North Sea last year which placed fishing businesses under severe pressure. The poor catch rates also diverted effort into the white fish sector putting additional pressure on fishing opportunities.<\/p>\n

Funding has been awarded to 113 vessels from across Scotland:<\/p>\n

* North East \u2013 59 awards receiving \u00a31,174,605
\n* North West \u2013 20 awards receiving \u00a3278,584
\n* South East \u2013 19 awards receiving \u00a3280,908.18
\n* South West \u2013 11 awards receiving \u00a3121,465
\n* Orkney and Shetland \u2013 4 awards receiving \u00a370,032<\/p>\n

Following consultation with industry representatives, the Government will make payments to vessels that failed in 2013 to achieve a net profit of \u00a317,000. Payments will be made to increase vessels profit to this level, up to a maximum of \u00a324,714, the maximum allowed under the EU\u2019s State Aid rules.<\/p>\n

Mr Lochhead said:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fishing industry is very important to Scotland\u2019s economy and contributed \u00a3500 million last year. It is the lifeblood of many local communities supporting over 5,000 costal jobs across Scotland.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese awards will help those experiencing substantial hardship to remain viable. The money can be used towards the costs of new or repaired sets of gear along with some minor maintenance work or costs in maintaining lifesaving equipment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bertie Armstrong, Chief Executive of the Scottish Fishermen\u2019s Federation said:<\/p>\n

\u201cThis assistance was fought for by the industry and agreed by Scottish Government and we are very pleased to see the hardship scheme becoming a reality. It is specifically targeted at boats with a viable future but who need some short term help in the face of challenges outside anyone\u2019s control – an investment for a sustainable future.\u201d<\/p>\n