The Scottish Government has confirmed that 99 seafood and aquaculture projects have received more than £16 million (US$21 million) through the 2026–27 round of the Marine Fund Scotland grant programme.
Aquaculture projects received £5.4 million (US$7.1 million) and sea fisheries projects £4.7 million (US$6.2 million). Seafood processing received £2 million (US$2.7 million) and marketing £1.8 million (US$2.4 million).
Recreational fishing and wild salmon received £1.5 million (US$2 million), marine litter £0.5 million (US$0.7 million), and other areas, including marine planning and conservation, £0.4 million (US$0.5 million).
The government said the funded work will gather information about the condition of fish stocks, train crews in safety, and test nets that consume less energy and are environmentally friendly.
The government identified four strategically important projects. These are led by Seafood Scotland, Seafish, Salmon Scotland and Marine Environmental Services of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation.
The largest individual awards in the round were £1,872,820.09 (US$2,477,488.26) to Seafood Scotland and £1,776,771 (US$2,350,428) to Mowi Scotland.
Excluding the four strategic projects, the remaining 95 awards were worth £13.4 million (US$17.7 million). Aberdeenshire accounted for 19 of these, worth £2.5 million (US$3.3 million). Perth and Kinross received £2.2 million (US$2.9 million) across five awards, Shetland £1.6 million (US$2.1 million) across eight, and Edinburgh £1.4 million (US$1.9 million) across eight.
Marine and Islands Minister Jim Fairlie said the government aimed to help increase aquaculture production and sales by £3.5 million (US$4.6 million).