Photo by Jeremy Steward

The UK Government has announced a £360 million Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund to support fishing businesses and coastal communities across the UK, with £56 million allocated to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Scottish Government will receive £28 million, the Welsh Government £18 million, and the Northern Ireland Executive £10 million, with funding allocated based on the Barnett Formula. Devolved governments will be responsible for spending the money to best meet the specific needs of their fishing and coastal communities, allowing them to work in collaboration with local fishing industries to prioritise regional needs.

The fund will invest in the UK fishing fleet’s technology and equipment, train the next generation of fishers by enhancing their skills, and support coastal communities by boosting tourism and trade.

Fisheries Minister Dame Angela Eagle said: “This fund will revitalise the fishing sector and coastal communities right across the UK, spurring growth as part of our Plan for Change. Supporting devolved governments with this new funding will help get the money to where it’s most needed, so the sector can thrive for generations to come.”

UK Government Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill said the £28 million UK Government investment would help deliver a sustainable future for the fishing industry by improving infrastructure, creating jobs and boosting investment in skills.

Mike Cohen, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, welcomed the funding, saying that if properly targeted, it would bring social and economic benefits felt for a long time to come.

Alongside the fund, the UK government expects to start negotiations for a new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement with the EU this autumn, which would slash red tape for UK seafood exporters and make it easier to sell UK fish to the largest trading partner.