Fraserburgh Harbour Secures Scottish Government Funding to Drive Digital Modernisation of Fishmarket

Karen Adam MSP welcomes investment supporting efficiency, competitiveness and long term resilience of fishing sector

Fraserburgh Harbour has secured £367,000 in Scottish Government funding to support the digitisation of its Fish Auction, strengthening the Harbour’s position as one of Europe’s leading nephrops and whitefish ports.

The funding, awarded by the Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate in November, builds on a UK Seafood Fund Infrastructure grant secured in 2024, which enabled a comprehensive refurbishment of the Fishmarket’s physical facilities. That project delivered improvements to hygiene, welfare and security standards, alongside a major upgrade to IT infrastructure, creating the foundations for the introduction of an e-auction system at the port.

Together, the investments represent a significant step forward in modernising Fraserburgh’s Fishmarket operations, improving transparency, traceability and efficiency for vessels, buyers and processors operating through the Harbour.

The move aligns with wider industry trends towards digital auction systems, enabling ports to meet evolving regulatory, market and operational demands while safeguarding competitiveness in a challenging operating environment.

Welcoming the funding, Karen Adam MSP, whose Banffshire and Buchan Coast constituency includes Fraserburgh, said:

“Fraserburgh Harbour plays a critical role in Scotland’s fishing supply chain, and this investment supports the infrastructure needed to keep the port operating efficiently and competitively.

“The Scottish Government’s backing for the digitisation of the Fish Auction recognises the importance of modern systems that work for vessels, buyers and the wider onshore sector, while maintaining the high standards the industry expects.

“These upgrades are about future proofing the Harbour, supporting jobs across the fishing cluster, and ensuring Fraserburgh continues to meet the needs of today’s industry and the next generation coming through.”

Industry stakeholders have also highlighted the value of the investment. Mike Park, Chief Executive of the Scottish White Fish Producers Association, noted that ports such as Fraserburgh must continue to adapt to modern demands, with government support playing a positive role in enabling that transition.

Fraserburgh Harbour’s Fishmarket development programme has been driven by the need to support vessels landing at the port and the wider network of auctioneers, processors, engineers and service providers who rely on Fraserburgh as a key landing hub.

The Scottish Government investment reflects a continued commitment to supporting coastal infrastructure, improving productivity, and safeguarding the long term sustainability of Scotland’s fishing industry.