Seafood companies receive government help

The Scottish Government has now published details of financial awards made under the Seafood Producers Resilience Fund, which was announced in early February as a follow up to an earlier support scheme at the start of the pandemic.

The government said more than 800 individual payments were made across the country, including 50 to businesses and organisations in Shetland.

Both Seafood Shetland and the Shetland Fishermen’s Association welcomed the quick support after markets, particular in the restaurant sector, dried up over night.

Markets have since recovered very strongly with high demand in retail settings for farmed mussels, according to Ruth Henderson of Seafood Shetland.

Payments of just under £200,000 were made to 42 local shellfish boats, while seven mussel farming businesses received a total of almost £180,000.

A payment of £174,902.44 was made to Lerwick Port Authority to compensate for reduced income as a result of lower landings because of Covid-19 but also due to the exit from the European Union.