One of the top Scottish seafood champions wants the new fisheries minister to visit the north-east as soon as possible to help the sector thrive post-Brexit rather than just survive.

Scotland’s “blue economy” is set to lose out under the new funding regime brought in to replace support from the European Union, according to the Scottish government. Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said the £14m annual budget allocated to Marine Fund Scotland (MFS) falls short of the £62m which would have been available under EU funding.

The cash from the Scottish Government will support up to 20 ports and harbours that have lost income from landing fees due to the disruption caused by Brexit.

Scottish rural economy minister Fergus Ewing said the sector was being decimated by the pandemic, Brexit and tariffs.

ONLY a quarter of Scottish farmers are optimistic about the impact Brexit will have on the industry, a survey has found.

Scotland’s Rural Economy Secretary has criticised the UK Government for increasing uncertainty over funding for farmers and crofters.