Marine / Nine new recruits boost local whitefish fleet
NINE young men have joined crews in Shetland’s whitefish fleet in the past year, giving a boost to the sector amid concern over quota cuts.
The young men are featured in the latest edition of the Shetland Fishermen Yearbook 2026.
Shetland Fishermen’s Association executive officer Sheila Keith said: “Despite mounting pressures on fisheries, there’s a growing interest among young people in joining the industry, reflected in the latest cohort of school leavers stepping aboard our whitefish vessels.
“It’s a reminder that the spirit of Shetland’s fishing community remains strong and continues to be worth fighting for.”
Geordie Nicolson, 16, from Aith, started as a trainee on board the Arcturus (LK 59) in May 2025 after completing his secondary five exams.
“I’ve always been set on going to the fishing from a young age, and have never thought to do anything else, so it was a no-brainer when it came to deciding what I would do when I left the school,” he said.
“I’m enjoying the fishing, getting on good and trying to work as hard as I can.
“I did the part-time maritime skills course through UHI Shetland for two years in S3 and S4, then the maritime and aquaculture part-time course in S5.
“After I turned 16 in S5, I slowly managed to complete all the one-day courses that you need to go and work on a fishing vessel. But to be honest Shetland needs a better set up for young people who want to go to the fishing.”
His long-term aim, with sea time under his belt, is to become a skipper.
Josh Duncan, 16, also from Aith, would also like to become a skipper one day if the opportunity arises. He intends to get his sea time in and work towards his skipper’s tickets.
“I joined the Venture (LK 641) just after I left the school in May 2025 – luckily I know the skipper well as he is my next door neighbour,” he said.
“It’s all going very well. I am getting on fine with everything to do with the boat and with the crew.”
Sonny Anderson, 18, from Lerwick, is working aboard the Alison Kay (LK 57), skippered by his dad James.
“I’ve been at the fishing around a year now and it’s going well – I’m really enjoying it,” he said.
“Having my dad as a skipper is great, as he is a good skipper to be off with. I think anyone that has been off with him would say the same.
“I suppose it’s different for me as he is also my dad, but at sea I just consider him a skipper and do what he says like I would any other skipper.”
He completed the maritime courses through UHI Shetland while in third, fourth and fifth year, and completed his training at the Scottish Maritime Academy in Peterhead.
“I’m not sure yet what my long-term plans are – right now I’m just taking it as it comes and I’ll see what the future holds.”
Eli Gadsby, 16, from Sand, joined the Copious (LK 985) in June 2025. “I just approached the skipper Mark Anderson and asked for a job when I left the school.
“He said I could come off for the summer and see if I liked it – I went and I’m still here!”
Benji Bain, 17, from Cunningsburgh, is enjoying being a crew member on the Courageous (LK 470), having previously been aboard the shellfish boat Nort Star (LK 159).
He will be joined in the spring of 2026 by Lee Anderson, 15, from Whalsay, who is currently doing work experience at the LHD net store in Lerwick.
He has already been off on several trips with the Tranquility (LK 63) and aboard the Antares (LK 419) with his dad.
“It has been really good going off, and I will be working towards my sea survival qualifications with UHI Shetland – I’m really looking forward to joining the boat.
“I’d like to be a skipper myself one day, if I can get my tickets, but this will be a good place to start.”
Ross Ward, 17, from Hamnavoe, Burra, has been aboard the Venturous (LK 75) for four months thanks to some help from his uncle. “I am really enjoying it,” he said.
“I went straight from school because I got all my courses done for my mackerel boat the year before.”
Chris Thomson, 17, from Unst, has been with the Ocean Challenge (LK 253) for a few months.
“I was on the Endurance for a year and a half but we ended up on the slip getting repairs and I was asked if I could do cover on the Ocean Challenge,” he said.
“I did two weeks then got asked to do another two weeks. I was a week into that when I was offered the job.
“I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else to be honest – fishing has always been a passion of mine and to be able to do it for a job is a dream come true.”
The final young man to join the fleet is Mackie Reid, 18, who is aboard the Endurance (LK 416).
The SFA is currently developing a scheme to bring more young entrants into the sector, with details to be announced later this year.
Meanwhile copies of the Shetland Fishermen Yearbook 2026 can be ordered here.
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