In brief for 15 April 2011

Swan award

THE RESTORED Shetland herring drifter Swan has won the prestigious National Historic Ships Flagship Award 2011 after beating stiff competition.

The award brings with it a £1,000 grant to help with the cost of appearing at major national and international events to promote the 111 year old fifie, as well as historic ships and maritime heritage in general.

National Historic Ships director Martyn Heighton said the award was based on Swan’s “extensive sailing and visiting programme for 2011”.

Swan Trust secretary Peter Campbell said: “The opposition the Swan was up against included vessels like the paddle steamer Waverley, so it’s quite an achievement to win this award.”

Faroe mackerel

CONFIRMATION that the Marine Stewardship Council will not certify the Faroese mackerel fishery should damage the islands’ economy, according to Euro MP Struan Stevenson.

Scotland objected to the MSC certification after Faroe followed Iceland’s example and unilaterally raised its mackerel quota to 150,000 tonnes from 85,000 tonnes this year, having already vastly increased its quota from previous years.

Independent verifier Det Norske Veritas (DNV) have now upheld the objection.

Mr Stevenson said: “This is sure to be an economic blow to the Faroes, because EU consumers are more and more determined to purchase fish and fish products that come from an accredited and sustainable fishery. The lack of an MSC award will seriously undermine the Faroese mackerel market in Europe.”