Lobster storage system among projects successful in latest fisheries project funding

A SCALLOWAY-based fish processing company has been awarded more than half-a-million pounds of government funding to develop a system of shellfish storage tanks to be placed at sea.

QA Fish Ltd is the major local winner in the latest round of funding under the Marine Fund Scotland awards scheme.

The £1.3 million project has been described as an innovative approach to supply lobster “on a more sustainable basis”.

Meanwhile the long-established and award-winning Fishing for Litter initiative, operated by KIMO UK, received £225,535 from the fund to help manage the project to improve the fishing industry’s waste management and reduce marine litter.

Shetland has been hosting the international secretariat of the environmental group of local authorities from around the North Sea (KIMO) for the last 34 years.

But due to Brexit and the associated difficulties to access EU funding, the secretariat moved to the Aalborg municipality in Denmark last year.

The Scottish Government also made funding allocations to two young fishermen (£75,000 and £40,000) to allow them to enter the industry.

The four Shetland grant allocations were part of 60 projects announced by the Scottish Government this week.

Rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “Scotland’s marine economy is crucial to the economic, social and cultural fabric of our rural, coastal and island communities.

“I am pleased to announce these grant awards which will continue to support projects showcasing key innovation and development in our marine industries and coastal communities.”