Usan Salmon Fisheries of Montrose one of the few remaining salmon netters in the country has been awarded a European grant of more than £100,000 to invest in its business.
The grant, given with the support of the European Fisheries Fund, will be used for the construction of a net and boat manufacturing and repair unit, and three new power net washing beds.
The company, based in the old fishing village of Usan, south of Montrose, said it was proud to have secured much-needed and highly prized support. It followed a stringent application process and company director George Pullar said he hoped the new facilities would be completed and operational by the end of next March.
“We are thrilled to have received this hugely significant award,” he said. “These new facilities will enable us to optimise the efficiency of our operations and will allow our staff to carry out their work under much improved conditions.
“We make and repair our own nets no one else is manufacturing them and we build our own boats. The new facility will mean we can do the work indoors.
“We fully acknowledge and thank Scottish ministers, Marine Scotland staff and the European Union for their support of our traditional, sustainable wild salmon netting business. In these unprecedented tough economic times, obtaining this grant is a massive boost to our operations.”
Usan Salmon Fisheries is a family business established by the Pullars in the 1960s and is now one of the largest independent salmon netting companies in Scotland.
“We continue to thrive today, despite a hostile angling lobby,” said Mr Pullar. “Our customers recognise the exceptional quality of our 100% natural product. The business continues to diversify, with its latest venture being the set-up of an online shop.”
The company employs six members of the Pullar family and has a number of seasonal employees.