National award for Whalsay skipper
THE SKIPPER of the Whalsay based whitefish trawler Courageous (LK470) has been named young fisherman of the year in the national Fishing News awards.
Ian Shearer was presented with the trophy during a short ceremony at Scalloway Harbour on Monday after he had been unable to attend the recent prize-giving event in Aberdeen.
Shearer has been praised for his enthusiasm and dedication to the industry since he left school.
He achieved his SVQ in fishing vessel operations at the NAFC Marine Centre in Scalloway, in 2006-7 while crewing onboard the Defiant (LK371), and was also awarded best skillseeker that year.
Shearer continued his career and gained his Class 2 fishing deck officer certificate of competency in 2013, again at the NAFC, also being awarded the Jeanette Williamson prize as the outstanding student that year.
His commitment to the local industry has been further demonstrated when he and three other young men under the age of 25 bought the vessel formerly known as the Guardian Angell in April last year, and renamed her Courageous.
The partnership has been fishing very successfully since then.
Shetland Fisherman’s Association chairman Leslie Tait said: “Ian is a very worthy of the title young fisherman of the year.
“It shows that with the right ambition, enthusiasm and talents there is still room for the younger generation to make a start in the industry today despite the many challenges”.
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