The Scottish government has announced its funding package for seafood businesses and marine organisations through Marine Fund Scotland for the new financial year.
A total of up to £14m will be available in 2023-24 ‘to encourage the sustainable use of marine resources for economic growth, support livelihoods and jobs whilst preserving the health of marine and coastal ecosystems’.
Applications for funding can be submitted via a new web portal which will be live from 10am on 11 April. The application and scheme guidance will be updated ahead of that date for the 2023-24 scheme.
Donna Fordyce, chief executive of Seafood Scotland, said: “The Marine Fund Scotland has been crucial in the promotion of Scottish seafood in developing new markets for the premium seafood we produce, but also in retaining existing markets.
“This is particularly so given the impacts of the last few years withBrexit and the Covid pandemic. We are now also in the midst of a cost of living crisis, which requires continuing effort to ensure that the quality and affordability of Scottish seafood is recognised.”
Marine Fund Scotland was established following the UK’s exit from the EU, and replaces funding for the fishing and seafood sector previously available through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).
The 2023-24 Marine Fund Scotland delivers on the Scottish government’s Blue Economy Vision, which was published in 2022.
This story was taken from the latest issue of Fishing News. For more up-to-date and in-depth reports on the UK and Irish commercial fishing sector, subscribe to Fishing News here or buy the latest single issue for just £3.30 here.
Sign up to Fishing News’ FREE e-newsletter here.
![Subscribe](https://fishingnews.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/FN_subs_footer_820x250px_AUG24.1LC.jpg)
![Subscribe](https://fishingnews.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/FN_subs_footer_560x200px_AUG24.1LC.jpg)
This story was taken from the latest issue of Fishing News. For more up-to-date and in-depth reports on the UK and Irish commercial fishing sector, subscribe to Fishing News here or buy the latest single issue for just £3.30 here.