Whitefish landings up four per cent

SHETLAND has consolidated its position as the second largest whitefish port in the UK with a four per cent increase in landings this year.

As other traditional fishing ports in Scotland and England, including Aberdeen, scale back their operations Shetland is only topped by Peterhead in the amount of whitefish brought to market.

In 2011 Shetland Seafood Auctions reported 258,000 boxes of whitefish were landed at Lerwick and Scalloway, almost as high as the electronic auction’s record years of 2008 and 2009.

The electronic auction was introduced in 2003 allowing Shetland to buck the national trend of declining landings and maintain its position as a leading port for whitefish vessels as they struggle with tough restrictions imposed by Brussels.
 
Shetland Seafood Auction manager Martin Leyland said that in times of reduced days at sea and high fuel costs Shetland’s proximity to the fishing grounds made it an “attractive landing proposition”.
 
He added: “Key to our success is the high prices achieved by the electronic auction, our strong emphasis on high quality and our proximity to the fishing grounds.
 
“In light of the recent cuts in fishing effort for 2012, it is likely that the number of local and mainland vessels choosing to land their catch here will increase as they monitor days at sea and fuel costs.
 
“The fact that Shetland is the second largest white fish port in the UK also contributes to our success.  The high number of vessels landing in Shetland increases the availability of fish at the market, which encourages buyers to attend and, in turn, keeps prices strong.”