WIREDGOV

Two Shetland companies are to benefit from grant assistance totalling £1,158,000 delivered through the European Fisheries Fund (EFF).

Lerwick Fish Traders and Rossyew Ltd will use the funding for fish processing projects which will create 17 new jobs, a vital boost for the local economy.

Speaking on a visit to the islands, Environment Minister Michael Russell said:

"I am delighted to be able to fast track EFF money to support two Shetland companies at a time when the island's aquaculture sector is facing a time of particular uncertainty.

"The recent discovery of Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) in the area has seen the local aquaculture industry experience a difficult few weeks.

"This investment and the jobs it will create and support will therefore be welcome news for both of these companies and for the Shetland community as a whole.

"Lerwick Fish Traders and Rossyew Ltd are the first of a number of beneficiaries from EFF. We hope to aid many more companies in developing a profitable and prosperous fish sector for Scotland in the coming months, and further news of successful EFF bids will be announced in the coming weeks.

"Today's announcement will open up new fish processing capacity in Shetland and help alleviate recent concerns stemming from the ISA issue, which can only be good for the area's sustainable economic growth."

The Environment Minister is on the islands to meet with Sandy Cluness, Convenor of Shetland Islands Council, his officials, and the aquaculture industry to discuss the future development of aquaculture in Shetland, as well as the current ISA situation.

His visit comes following the recent decision by the Scottish Government to approve the movement of live fish by well boat based on advice from Fisheries Research Services (FRS), which takes account of all available epidemiological evidence and risk assessments. This move will allow for greater processing of fish on the island.

Projects eligible for EFF grants include:

• The development and delivery of professional, safety and specialist skills training
• Improved management, sustainable exploitation of resources, improved hygiene standards and minimisation of environmental impacts
• Pilot projects in partnership with scientific or technical bodies
• Long term profitability in global and local markets to the benefit of producers and consumers
• Development of new markets and promotional campaigns including on quality, value enhancement and environmental credentials for fisheries and aquaculture products
• Campaigns to improve the image of fisheries and aquaculture products and image of the fisheries sector implementation of market surveys.

Lerwick Fish Traders

Application from an existing fish processing company at Lerwick, Shetland for EFF grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of a new integrated Baader grading and processing line.

Total project costs: £1,400,000

Total grant offered: £420,000

Employment: the current employment is 93 F/T and 6 P/T, with 10 full time positions being created following completion of the project.

Rossyew Ltd

Application from an existing Scottish company (a processor of salmon waste and by-products), setting up new operations on Shetland for the first time, for grant aid towards the purchase of an oil separator, bone extractor, evaporator and the associated items of processing equipment, together with their installation at a leased facility in Lerwick to extract useful oils and products from salmon off-cuts.

Total project costs: £1,230,000

Total grant offered: £738,000

Employment: following completion of the project, 6 full-time and 1 part-time positions will be created in Lerwick.

Related Information

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Fisheries/grants-subsidies

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Fisheries/Fish-Shellfish/18610/diseases/infectious-salmon-anaemia