Shetland’s inshore fisheries recognised in Fishing News awards
SHETLAND’s inshore fishing sector scooped two awards at the annual Fishing News Awards, held in Aberdeen last night (Thursday).
Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation (SSMO), which has been managing the isles’ inshore fisheries for more than 20 years, won the sustainability award.
Meanwhile, Richard Grains, one of the local skippers operating in the waters regulated by the SSMO, was crowned the ‘Under 10 metre fishermen of the year’.
Grains took delivery of a brand-new crabber, Valentia LK21, in February last year.
Speaking from Aberdeen after the event, he said he was delighted to have been recognised for his dedication to the job, and added that he had a good idea of who actually nominated him.
The full-time fisherman has been working creels since he entered the industry more than 15 years ago.
Fishing the exposed waters to the northwest of Shetland, his vessel is based at the Collafirth pier.
A “delighted” SSMO chair, former councillor Alastair Cooper, said: “It’s an honour for all our shellfish men and it’s great to see Richard Grains recognised for everything he’s achieved.
“The SSMO runs on a shoestring but it shows the real progress you can make when you have local control and, most importantly, a community of local fishermen who support the common good and cast an eye to the future.”
The organisation’s inshore coordinator John Robertson added: “It’s a great tribute to our creel and scallop fishermen, to my predecessor Carole Laignel, the SSMO directors and our shellfish scientists at UHI Shetland.
“Our licensed fishermen shape SSMO policy and it’s refreshing to see them applauded for showing the way on sustainable fishing.”
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