The college offers training for mates and skippers

Banff and Buchan College in Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, announced the end of the training due to a lack of students and finance.

The training is for mates and skippers certification and trainee fishermen.

Scottish National Party leader and Banff and Buchan MP Alex Salmond said a campaign was under way to find funding.

The college's decision last week was blamed on a lack of recruits, funding and also high equipment costs.

This provision has to remain available to our fishing industry Alex Salmond SNP leader

The board blamed a funding formula which it said does not recognise the strategic importance of industries such as fishing to the rural economy.

Mr Salmond and various party colleagues met with college principal Robert Sinclair on Monday to discuss potential sources of finance.

Mr Salmond said: "We have identified a number of potential sources of support for this campaign.

'Balance needs'

"Obviously the funding body has responsibility, but there are a number of other options that have now been brought into the discussion.

"The fundamental position remains that this provision has to remain available to our fishing industry."

The college said there had been low numbers of students for the fisheries-related courses since decommissioning six years ago, which saw many Scottish fishing boats scrapped.

This was further compounded by the high costs associated with replacing expensive radar and navigation simulation equipment.

College principal Mr Sinclair urged any organisation with an interest in fisheries training and wanting to discuss how they could financially support this training in future to get in touch.

The Scottish Funding Council said it was for individual colleges to decide which courses they run, and they had to "balance up local needs with the requirement to be financially viable as a whole".