Devolved national governments are “disappointed” at the amount of funding available in the government’s new fishing fund.
Governments in both Scotland and Northern Ireland have criticised the £360m Fishing & Coastal Growth Fund that was launched this week.
The fund aims to boost investment in new technology and equipment, train the next generation of fishermen, and revitalise the UK’s fishing fleet.
However, the £56m to be shared between Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland has been dismissed as a “totally unacceptable allocation of funds” by devolved government leaders.
Scottish cabinet secretary for rural affairs, land reform and islands Mairi Gougeon said her nation’s allocation of £28m did not reflect its contribution to the UK’s fishing industry, nor the “size and importance” of fishing to Scotland’s economy.
“It is disastrously short of the £166m, or 46% share of funding, that we sought based on the share Scotland previously received from the EU funding allocated to the UK,” she continued. “This disproportionate allocation of funding comes at a time when the Scottish fishing industry is dealing with multiple pressures, from the agreement to extend EU access to Scottish waters, to the ongoing discussions on cod and mackerel quotas for 2026.”
She added that she would be writing to the UK government to have this “insult to Scotland and its vital fishing industry” reconsidered.
According to Seafish, Scotland’s fishing fleet has double the catching capacity, lands more fish and generates a greater income than the English fleet despite being smaller and spending fewer days at sea. The latest data from the public body showed England’s fleet comprised 1,833 vessels, Scotland’s 1,575, Wales’ 224 and Northern Ireland’s 193.
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Echoing Gougeon’s frustration, Northern Ireland’s minister for agriculture, environment and rural affairs, Andrew Muir, said while he was “pleased” to recieve additional funding, the amount allocated was insufficient.
“It remains my view that £10m, spread over 12 years, will be inadequate to support and deliver a regional scheme which would materially modernise the NI fishing fleet and bring tangible economic and environmental benefits to our coastal communities,” he said.
Northern Ireland recieved 10% of the allocation, but he argued the number of Northern Irish vessels and value of their landings would “provide justification for a larger share of the UK fund”.
The allocations were calculated via the UK government’s Barnett formula, which divides funding to devolved nations to reflect changes in government spending levels.
Defra minister Angela Eagle said the fund would benefit Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales in a statement accompanying the fund’s announcement.
“The grit and determination of fishers throughout the UK brings the best seafood to our dining tables and across the world,” she said. “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.”
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