Trawlermen who campaigned for Brexit and wanted to ‘take back control’ to benefit from EU funds Scottish trawlermen who campaigned for Brexit are to benefit from European handouts to help expand their market. Peterhead in Aberdeenshire […]

Scottish trawlermen who campaigned for Brexit are to benefit from European handouts to help expand their market.

Peterhead in Aberdeenshire is to receive a £5m investment boost, split between the Scottish Government and the European and Maritime Fisheries Fund.

“The extra funding is helpful, but the industry doesn’t depend on the EU.” The i newsletter latest news and analysis Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription. Bertie Armstrong, the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation

The cash, announced by Scotland’s Rural Economy Secretary, Fergus Ewing, will allow Peterhead Port Authority to expand the market and bring together key services so trawlers can complete port calls more quickly.

Trawlermen in Peterhead, Europe’s largest white fish port, were outspoken supporters of Brexit and said they wanted to “take back control” while blaming the Common Fisheries Policy for a decline in the fishing industry.

Bertie Armstrong, of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said: “The extra funding is helpful, but the industry doesn’t depend on the EU. Projects that are worthy of funding now will be equally worthy of funding on the other side of Brexit. We are a net contributor to Europe and we don’t require EU funding for survival.

“If someone offers you a jam doughnut, you will take one, but it isn’t your diet. The opportunities offered to fishing by Brexit outweigh the challenges. We will get back one of the world’s most productive zones of the sea.”

‘Historic opportunity’

Fishermen across the UK have welcomed Brexit as providing a “historic opportunity” to secure significant economic benefits for the industry.

Annual negotiations will take place in Brussels on December 12, where Mr Ewing will champion the best deal for Scotland’s fishing industry.

Ian Laidlaw, chief executive of the Peterhead Port Authority, said: “Securing Scottish Government and EU support was essential in allowing us to provide progress with what will be the port’s largest development project in living memory, costing £49m.

”Maintaining Peterhead’s leading position in the market is not only important for Peterhead and Aberdeenshire, but also allows us to continue to make a significant contribution to the Scottish economy.“

The UK’s two main organisations for commercial fishermen – the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation and the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations – have agreed upon a set of common principles to ensure the best deal for coastal communities in the Brexit negotiations.

The UK is earmarked to receive around 243m euros from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund to 2020 – less than half that of France and just over a fifth of the amount received by Spain.

‘Best fishing industry in Europe’

Mr Ewing said as he announced the investment during a visit to Peterhead: ”Scotland’s fishing industry is a vital part of our rural economy with our fishing fleet generating £437m last year.

“We are strategically placed to have the best fishing industry in Europe and the Scottish Government is committed to doing all it can to make that a reality.

”That’s why our priority continues to be pursuing all options to protect Scotland’s relationship with the EU as nearly half a billion pounds worth of seafood is exported to Europe and why we have been vocal that leaving could mean losing both a market and a source of vital funding.“