The European Fisheries Fund (EFF)
The Scottish Government has secured 40 per cent - £38.83 million - of the UK budget for a new European grants scheme for Scotland's fishing and aquaculture industries.
The new European Fisheries Fund is designed to help modernise and secure the sustainability and international competitiveness of the fishing industry.
The £38.83 million will be split between the Scottish Highlands and Islands Convergence area (£12.41 million) and the Lowland Scotland Non-Convergence area (£26.42 million).
Details of the timetable and how to apply for grants will be announced by the Scottish Government Marine Directorate, following a UK wide consultation on priorities for the funds early next year.
The European Fisheries Fund replaces the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) grant programme which ran between 2000 and 2006.
EFF is programmed to run until 2013.
The UK money has been allocated as follows:
- England £26.42m
- Scotland £26.42m
- Northern Ireland £12.76m
- Wales £1.07m
Separate funds will be available for Cornwall (£7.3m), West Wales (£10.68m), and the Scottish Highlands and Islands (£12.41m).