In a letter to the UK Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Dame Angela Eagle, Ms Gougeon criticised the decision to grant Scotland just 7.78% of the £360m fund. She highlighted the disparity between this share and the scale of the Scottish sector, which accounts for over 60% of the UK’s fishing capacity and lands more than 75% of all UK quota species.

The Cabinet Secretary argued that the settlement is a “grossly oversimplified approach” that fails to provide a fair settlement. She contrasted the new figure with the 46% share Scotland had previously received from equivalent European Union funding allocated to the UK. The letter also pointed out that England has been allocated over £300m from the fund, despite its fishing sector landing significantly smaller catches than Scotland’s.

Spread over 12 years, the funding equates to what Ms Gougeon described as a “meagre” £2.3m per annum for Scotland. She stated this amount is “nowhere near enough” to support the next generation of fishermen or to revitalise coastal communities.

Ms Gougeon framed the decision as “yet another negative consequence of Brexit” and criticised the lack of consultation, which she described as a “disappointing departure” from the UK government’s commitment to effective intergovernmental working. She concluded by strongly urging the UK Government to reconsider its approach and to enter into immediate discussions with the devolved governments to agree on a more respectful and equitable funding model.