Supporting Coastal Communities

Backing the Future of Fisheries

Scotland's marine economy is crucial to the economic, social and cultural fabric of our rural, coastal and island communities - seafood is Scotland’s second largest export. And coastal Angus is home to numerous important fishing communities.

The SNP's vision is for Scotland to be a world class fishing nation, delivering responsible and sustainable fisheries management. That’s why we are committed to working in partnership with the fishing industry to ensure our seas are managed sustainably and responsibly.

Since 2021 the SNP government's Marine Fund Scotland has awarded more than £70 million in grants to 390 projects, facilitating a total of £150 million of investment and supporting jobs and communities right around our coastline and throughout our islands. 

Through the latest round of awards, the Scottish Government is investing £14 million to support jobs and reduce emissions in marine sectors. A total of 60 projects focusing on innovation and sustainable development will receive grants ranging from £1,500 to £1.7 million from the Marine Fund Scotland. including projects here in Angus.

A number of the projects are expected to create new jobs and all will support coastal communities. Recipients of funding this year include projects to support more young people to enter the sector; promote Scottish seafood in the UK and abroad; install solar panels and upgrade insulation to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions; provide equipment, training and skips to support beach cleans; and develop shellfish storage tanks to be placed at sea to supply lobster more sustainably.

Marine Fund Scotland has supported the continuation of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation work on data collection that started well over a decade ago. The Independent Fisheries Science Support Scheme (IFSSS) is the latest iteration of these observer schemes, previously funded through EU funding streams. These projects have been providing essential and invaluable assistance to the Scottish Government in collecting data vital to the delivery of international advice for fishing opportunities.

Beyond the Marine Fund Scotland, the SNP Scottish Government has repeatedly spoken up for Scottish fishing communities in the face of damaging and unjust policies of Tory and Labour UK governments alike. This has most recently included the Starmer government's approach to funding allocations in the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund - based on population rather than fishing industry size - which the Scottish Government and SNP have been clear is wholly unfair and deeply damaging to the Scottish fishing industry.

The SNP is committed to maintaining the long term sustainability of Scotland’s rich marine fisheries through continued support of  businesses and coastal communities and to increasing the inclusive and sustainable, long-term economic growth of the Scottish fishing industry.