May 20, 2004

Scottish Aquaculture Receives Funding Boost

A campaign to promote the health benefits of eating Scottish farmed salmon is to receive a £3 million boost.

The international campaign, managed by Scottish Quality Salmon (SQS), will be backed by £1.5 million of funding from the Executive through Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG), and the further £1.5 million will be provided by members of SQS and the Shetland Salmon Farmers Association.

Allan Wilson, the deputy minister for environment and rural affairs, said: "This funding demonstrates the Executive's commitment to the salmon industry and our confidence in its future.

"The health benefits of eating oily fish, such as Scottish farmed salmon are well proven. Improving consumer confidence and making markets more robust to future challenges will help to maintain a valuable industry in Scotland and will safeguard invaluable employment opportunities in some of our most remote and rural communities."

The £1.5 million award is to Scottish Quality Salmon which has members all across Scotland and the project will last 2 years.

The Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) is the European structural fund that contributes to achieving the goals of the Common Fisheries Policy.

The Scottish Executive has negotiated some £55 million of FIFG for the Scottish fisheries sector between 2000 and 2006.

Aquaculture 2004 opens on Wednesday in Glasgow's SECC.