The UK governement has pledged to boost its support for fishing and shellfish businesses amid a disruption in sales to EU countries that emerged following Brexit.
"Our fishermen are at the heart of many of our coastal communities and we recognise the impact of coronavirus and the end of the transition period on them. This expansion of our 23-million-pound support package will ensure many more businesses can benefit from government support", Environment Secretary George Eustice said.
The disruption stems from the European Union's water quality requirements stipulating that mussels, oysters, cockles, and such must undergo purification processes if they are grown in waters deemed of low quality by the bloc.
Earlier this month, the EU refused to make any exception for UK aquaculture businesses, indefinitely barring Britain from shellfish exports unless it meets the standards.
The UK condemned the ban, which London believes could have a disastrous impact on the industry. One senior UK senior official previously said that the shellfish row showed the EU's desire to "punish" the country over Brexit.
Although David Frost, the UK's chief Brexit negotiator, recently said that the two sides will hopefully "get over it", reports have emerged that the UK might fire back and restrict the import of European bottled mineral water.