Extra support for ports and harbours

Up to 20 ports and harbours that have lost income from landing fees due to the disruption caused by Brexit have received a share of a £1.8 million fund.

The funding will provide necessary investment at ports and harbours for safety improvements and repair works.

The support includes £180,000 to install shore power for the fishing fleet at Mallaig, £125,000 for resurfacing works and dredging at Eyemouth, £534,979 for repair work at Fraserburgh and £182,000 for new lighting and a fish landing crane at Lerwick Port.

Fisheries Secretary Fergus Ewing announced details ahead of the third meeting of the Scottish Seafood Exports Taskforce where he called on the UK Government to improve collaboration on border and customs process for the EU. Limited, complex guidance and the requirement to use multiple systems for catch and export certification and customs controls is leading to a number of EU vessels choosing to land into other countries like Norway, Denmark and Ireland.

EU flagged vessels account for around 7% of all landings by value into Scottish ports in 2019 and were worth £35.5 million, however there is more of a reliance on them in smaller communities like Ullapool where around 13% of landings by value were estimated to be from EU vessels.

Mr Ewing said:

“Ports and harbours are the lifeblood of many of our coastal communities up and down the country. As a result of the botched Brexit deal and through no fault of their own, many are losing key landing fees from vessels and need this essential investment.

“Previously we committed £1 million but I am pleased to be able to increase this to £1.8 million so we can provide even more funding to approximately 20 ports and harbours and support jobs and livelihoods in our coastal communities. We’ve been working closely with the British Ports Association on this support and the ports and harbours will be able to start essential works immediately.

“While this funding will help our ports and harbours with longer term recovery I am calling on the Scottish Seafood Exports Taskforce to provide urgent short term solutions and produce clear guidance so EU vessels and their agents can understand and have confidence in the requirements, and continue to land in our ports, which rely on them for employment and economic stability.”  

Background

Funding for ports and harbours was announced as part of a package of support by Fisheries Secretary Fergus Ewing on 3 February. Due to the high level of demand for the fund, the initial £1m was increased to £1.8m.

Ports and harbours are an essential part of the infrastructure for the seafood sector and have a value of £186 million. The latest figures on EU vessel landings into Scotland can be found in the Scottish Sea Fisheries Statistics 2019.

The Scottish Government has also announced funding for new seafood experts to help businesses navigate paperwork, and funding for the Fishermen’s Mission.

The Seafood Producers Resilience Fund is still open for aquaculture businesses.

The list of ports and harbours confirmed to receive funding at present is below with discussions continuing with further potential applicants.