By Fishing industry to receive £75m modernisation boost
Fishing and coastal communities are set to benefit from a £75 million funding boost announced by the UK government.
The money would be used to modernise UK ports and processing facilities as well as create new jobs.
Industries welcomed the investment and said the sector had faced challenges since Brexit.
Announcing the funding, the government said it would strengthen the sector’s ability to land more fish in the UK and take them to market faster.
The money would specifically go towards better infrastructure, strengthened supply chains, new jobs and investment in skills.
Now that the UK is out of the EU’s single market, British fish exports to the EU are subject to new customs and veterinary checks causing disruption and delay.
Without free access to European recruitment, some businesses have struggled to find labour.
Tensions have also been growing between the UK and France as the two countries negotiate on post-Brexit fishing rights.
The government’s environment secretary George Eustice insisted “a positive picture” was emerging for the fishing industry, despite the sector reporting difficulties.
He said £65m would go to modernising ports and harbours to increase capacity and efficiency at processing facilities.
Projects across the UK will be asked to compete for a share of the funding, with priority going to those that reduce carbon emissions.
A further £10m of the fund will encourage new entrants into the sector, and train and upskill those already working in it.
He told the BBC: “We are committed to levelling up coastal communities across the UK, and this marks a period of rejuvenation for our fishing industry.”
However, the Scottish government criticised the move, stating that as fishing is devolved it should be for Scottish ministers to decide where investment goes.
Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “It is for Scottish ministers, accountable to Scottish Parliament, to make decisions about how marine and fisheries funding is spent in line with our priorities.”
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