Aberdeenshire Council has renewed its commitment to a north-east fisheries group for a further three years.
The North East Scotland Fisheries Local Action Group, known as NesFlag, has worked with the aim of implementing funding to deliver local development plans since it was set up in 2014.
It comprises of representatives from stakeholder organisations in the private, community and public sectors and covers coastal communities in Aberdeenshire and Angus.
The group, which employs a small team funded by the Leader programme, manages around £1.4million from the European Maritime and Fisheries Funding.
Members of the council’s infrastructure services committee were told last week that the local authority’s participation in NesFlag was “vitally important” to facilitate the reduction in funds and help deliver council priorities.
A withdrawal from the group would reduce the ability of the authority to scrutinise funding awards or could impact on funding being given to Aberdeenshire if another partnership was not found.
The members agreed a further three-year commitment to NesFlag.
Committee chairman Peter Argyle said he was “delighted” with the renewed commitment as it supports the “sustainable development of our coastal communities”.
Vice-chairman John Cox added: “NesFlag support a wide range of projects – from adding value and promoting innovation in the fisheries and seafood supply chain to creating jobs, attracting young people and providing training in fisheries areas – which remains hugely important for our north-east communities.”
