Development work at Fraserburgh Harbour has been given a £7.5 million boost, Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead has announced.

The project to deepen the town's harbour was one of 31 which received grants totalling £12.3 million under the European Fisheries Fund.

Designed to support investment in the fisheries sectors, the EFF programme assists with capital investment in the aquaculture, fishing and fish processing industries.

It can also support strategic trade initiatives, safety training, applied research, fisheries dependent communities and Scottish Government and European Community policy initiatives for the sustainable development of fisheries.

Among the other awards announced today were:

* £380,564 for Mallaig Harbour Authority for a fish feed storage building

* £882,288 for Glasgow City Markets for a new fish market

* £345,506 for Thistle Seafoods in Aberdeen for additional chilled capacity

Speaking on a visit to Fraserburgh, Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "We're committed to supporting Scotland's valuable fishing industry and these grants help to do just that. This money will ensure the infrastructure which supports the fleet is fit for purpose, aid safety training, support work to reduce discards and add value to the supply chain through improved processing, training and marketing.

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"The grant awarded to Fraserburgh Harbour will allow the harbour commissioners to press ahead with their plans to deepen part of the harbour giving access to more boats and improving local facilities. This significant capital investment will also have a benefit for tradesmen and businesses in the wider community.

"The fund has supported a wide range of projects and businesses since its launch in 2007 and, to date, has seen around £60 million invested in Scotland's fishing industry. This funding will help to ensure our fishing communities can look forward to a sustainable and profitable future."

George MacRae, Clerk to Fraserburgh Harbour Commissioners, said: "The Commissioners are absolutely delighted at this very significant award. They see it as a further example of the committed support of the administration for the fishing industry and an important rural community so dependent on fishing. This development is a continuation of the long term development plan of the harbour set in the early 1970s and will benefit hugely our hard pressed fishermen whilst giving greater flexibility in the operation of the port."

Simon Potten, Operations Manager of the Seafish Industry Authority - who received £347,225 for fishermen refresher safety training and £80,800 for new entrant training - said: "We are delighted that our safety refresher and new entrant training EFF applications have been successful.

"Fishing is a hazardous job and it is vital that fishermen keep up-to-date their safety knowledge and skills. The EFF award will enable us to offer experienced fishermen in Scotland the opportunity to re-attend basic safety training free of charge.

"Likewise we recognise that more needs to be done to recruit and train new entrants into the fishing industry. The EFF award will enable us to deliver eight Introduction to Commercial Fishing courses throughout Scotland for over 100 new entrants."

Graham Wallace, Managing Director of Glasgow City Markets LLP, said: "We welcome this grant from the European Fisheries Fund that will assist in improving traders' businesses at Scotland's only inland fish market. The investment will help meet traders and customers' future needs while achieving environmental excellence and bringing operations up the highest standard."

Mr Lochhead was in the North-east for a series of meetings in Fraserburgh and Peterhead where he met a wide range of representatives from all sectors of the fishing community.

(GK)