The Scottish Government has accused Westminster of “insulting” the country’s fishing industry after being offered just £28 million from the £360 million UK-wide Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund.
In a letter to UK Minister Dame Angela Eagle, Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said the deal “is wholly unacceptable”, arguing that Scotland’s allocation “does not represent a fair settlement”.
She said: “The Scottish fishing sector accounts for over 60% of the UK’s fishing capacity and over 60% of UK seafood exports… Instead, the announced allocation of just 7.78% is a grossly oversimplified approach which does not represent a fair settlement for Scotland.”
Gougeon warned that spreading the funding over 12 years would leave Scotland with “a meagre £2.3 million per annum”, adding that this was “nowhere near enough to support the next generation of fishermen and breathe new life into our coastal communities.”
She also claimed the move highlighted the “negative consequences of Brexit which the people of Scotland did not vote for”, saying it “demonstrates a clear misunderstanding of, and lack of care for, the Scottish fishing industry and our coastal communities by the UK Government.”
The Rural Affairs Secretary urged Westminster to “reconsider this approach, and enter into discussions at the earliest possible opportunity… to agree an alternative approach which treats each of our respective industries and communities with the respect they deserve.”
UK fisheries minister Dame Angela Eagle said: “The grit and determination of fishers throughout the UK brings the best seafood to our dining tables and across the world.
“This fund will revitalise the fishing sector and coastal communities right across the UK, spurring growth as part of our Plan for Change.
“Supporting devolved governments with this new funding will help get the money to where it’s most needed, so the sector can thrive for generations to come.”