The creation of a new seafood training centre could help around 100 north-east businesses gain expertise and build for the future.
The two year pilot project aims to improve the health and safety and fish smoking skills of the industry’s current workforce in Fraserburgh and Peterhead.
It is part of efforts to create a Scottish Seafood Centre of Excellence after hundreds of jobs were lost at Young’s Seafood processing factory in Fraserburgh in 2015.
Former Young’s managing director Michael Sim will be giving technical advice and training to the firms involved in the new scheme and will start the position next month.
The North-east Scotland Fisheries Local Action Group are putting £60,000 towards the scheme and that his been matched by the Scottish Seafood Association (SSA).
Members of Aberdeenshire Council’s Fisheries Working Group were told about the plans during a meeting in Peterhead yesterday.
Derek McDonald, the council’s industry support executive for the rural and marine sectors, presented the scheme to councillors.
He said: “One of the key elements of this project was whoever was going to drive this forward.
“The SSA are delighted to have secured the services of Michael Sim, who agreed to undertaken this.
“He is really passionate about this project and what it can do for the industry.”
Mr McDonald also said the training would be provided wherever the need for it existed because the equipment being used is portable.
Fraserburgh and district councillor Charles Buchan asked Mr McDonald about the port’s role in the training centre.
He said: “Since the whole project started off with the Fraserburgh task force, I want your views on where the Fraserburgh element will go.”
Mr McDonald said he was confident a training location could be found at the town’s harbour.
He said: “A letter has gone to Fraserburgh harbour commissioners asking if they any suitable property for this.
“This project is going to be delivered in Fraserburgh and clearly we would like the harbour to play their part.
“Once Michael Sim starts he will be a very persuasive advocate for what we want to achieve.
“I’m confident we will get the message about this across because the will is there to find a space which enables fish to be disaggregated and for it to be hosed down afterwards.”
Peterhead North and Rattray councillor Dianne Beagrie welcomed the move but said it was important the fishing industry takes steps to inspire the next generation to consider a career in the sector.