The fishing and aquaculture sector is to receive a "vital" £5 million cash boost of European funding.

Rural Economy Minister Fergus Ewing welcomed the grants at a time of "great uncertainty" for the industry.

The cash, from the European Maritime and Fisheries Funding (EMFF) scheme, will provide £4.8 million to be shared by 29 projects across Scotland.

With the UK due to leave the European Union in March 2019, Mr Ewing said there was no information yet on what would replace the fund after Brexit.

The Fisheries Secretary said: "This seventh round of EMFF grants will provide a vital financial 'leg-up' to projects from the Shetland Islands to Dumfries and Galloway - with the nearly £5 million invested helping to support the whole fisheries supply chain to reach into new markets, and improving the overall quality of Scottish produce.

"The new funding will also help to support the growth potential of Scotland's shellfish sector, reinforce the importance of training, health and welfare within salmon aquaculture and a ground-breaking initiative to assess the health of our iconic wild salmon stocks.

"We are now in a period of great uncertainty for our coastal communities so I'm sure they will welcome this real and practical support from the Scottish Government and European Union."