The drive to make the Scottish fishing industry safer has received a welcome boost thanks to funding announced by the Scottish Government today (Friday).

Seafish has secured £ 140,000 to continue providing free and vital safety training to anyone working on commercial fishing vessels in Scotland.

Seafish, the public body supporting the UK seafood industry, used matching funding provided by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency to apply for funding from the new Marine Fund Scotland. A total of £ 280,000 is now available for spending until March 31, 2022.

This means that the organization now has funding to subsidize the training of fishermen across the UK. Training is a key part of Seafish’s work to help make the fishing industry a safer place.

Welcoming the news, Simon Potten, Safety and Training Manager at Seafish, encourages those working on fishing vessels in Scotland to start thinking about what training they might need.

He said: “This funding must be used by March 31, 2022, or it will be lost. Any training should have been completed by then, so please apply as soon as possible and book the training courses.

“While training providers still return to normal after the pandemic and many operate with small classes, training places are scarce. Apply for financing and book early to avoid disappointment.

Derek Cardno, Head of Safety and Training at the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said: “This is great news for fishermen across Scotland. The funding will encourage more fishermen to take whatever safety training they consider essential to ensure their safety and that of their fellow crew members.

“It will also help career-conscious fishermen acquire the skills they need to become the captains, journeymen and engineers that the Scottish fishing industry needs.”

Mr Cardno, who is also co-chair of the Scottish Fishing Safety Group (SFSG), thanked Seafish for submitting the nomination on behalf of the Scottish fishing industry.

He added: ‘Training fishermen is at the heart of SFSG’s vision for safe fishing and ensuring it for Scottish fishermen will make a huge difference as we strive to see no fatalities in the fishing industry. Scottish, every year.

“Over the past 12 months the group has been instrumental in securing this funding for all fishermen in Scotland and we thank the Scottish government for their support. “

Experienced commercial fishermen and newcomers who wish to work in the fishing industry are eligible for funding. The training must be formally recognized and delivered by a training provider approved by Seafish, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency or the Royal Yachting Association.

All funding must be requested and approved before taking the training. To apply for funding, download an application form from the Seafish website. The full web address is www.seafish.org/safety-and-training/seagoing-training/funding-for-safety-training

Funding requests can also be made through one of the Seafish Approved Training Providers. A full list is on the Seafish website.

In addition, the Scottish White Fish Producers Association (SWFPA) will receive £ 80,000 through MFS to provide around 100 defibrillators to its members.

The awards, announced during Maritime Safety Week, are among the first to be awarded through MFS, a one-year fund to invest in the maritime industries, seafood sector and the environment marine.

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “This funding underscores our commitment to invest in marine sectors and support local economies and coastal communities.

“This funding will help deliver vital fishing safety training to our fishing fleet, while the provision of defibrillators will provide crucial assistance at sea.

“In sudden cardiac arrest, we know that the sooner a defibrillator can be deployed, the better the chances of survival.

“These units are easy to use and the supplier will provide training courses and maintain the equipment.

“This funding supports the work of the Scottish Fishing Safety Group, which aims to improve the health, safety and well-being on board ships and reduce accidents across the industry.

“The initiative is also linked to our future fisheries management strategy, which sets out our ambitions to promote fishing as an attractive and safe career of choice. “

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