Fisheries Secretary confirms support for research during Orkney visit

Four fisheries projects that aim to improve our understanding of inshore fish stocks and reduce unwanted catches will receive almost £160,000 in funding, it was announced in Orkney this week.

Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead announced the funding of the projects while on a visit to Orkney yesterday.

The projects have all been proposed by the Scottish fishing industry to help further improve their knowledge of the science involved. This will include knowledge of fish and shellfish stocks around the Scottish coast and helping develop fishing gear which will reduce unwanted catches.

Following a call for proposals and selection process, the Fishing Industry Science Alliance (FISA) allocated the Marine Scotland funds for projects covering Shetland, Orkney and the west coast.

While in Orkney, Mr Lochhead met members of the Orkney Fisheries Association who have been awarded £24,200, alongside Heriot-Watt University, for a study to verify and quantify important areas for juvenile scallops in Orkney waters.

The study will inform spatial management decisions and includes the training of commercial fishermen to contribute to underwater surveys.