Hans J
Marter
22 December, 2007
SKIPPER Victor Laurenson couldn't have asked for a better morning when
he sailed his brand new fishing boat Radiant Star Lk71 into her
home port of Hamnavoe, on the island of Burra.
 Local
people turned out in strength to welcome this latest addition to the
Shetland fishing fleet, marking a milestone in the revival of the local
whitefish industry.
The 75ft seine netter was built in Whitby, on the Yorkshire coast, and
replaces Mr Laurenson's previous vessel, also named the Radiant Star.
As she steamed into the sheltered natural harbour she was joined by
another local fishing boat, the Comrades, the oldest whitefish
vessel in the Shetland fleet.
After arriving in his home village to cheers and fireworks, Mr Laurenson
said it was a great moment for him to deliver the new vessel right into
the heart of the village he has lived in all his life.
"It means a lot to me. It is a long while since a new boat came in here.
Everybody involved with this new boat is delighted, particularly that
new boats are still coming to Shetland keeping the fishing industry
moving ahead," he said.
Today's arrival of the Radiant Star marks the end of a successful
2007 for the local whitefish industry which had gone through a number of
tough years in which the size of the fleet almost halved due to
decommissioning, quota cuts and boats subsequently going out of
business.
 This
was a better year with better prices, higher landings and improved fish
stocks resulting in a new optimism in the whitefish fleet.
For the first time in many years the fleet has increased in size again,
with three second hand boats having joined during the summer followed by
today's arrival of the Radiant Star.
Mr Laurenson said that following last week's quota agreement fishing
prospects for 2008 were not looking up.
"Hopefully, the quota should all go up a wee bit. The fish is there, it
just takes the science to realise that the fishermen are telling the
truth. There certainly is plenty of fish in the sea.
"The price of the fish today is much better; you are getting paid fairly
for your product. There is more fish on the ground and less boats to
catch it. The future is quite bright for the whitefish industry, I would
say, as long as we are allowed to go to sea and fish."
Please also read our two special reports:
New Radiant Star joins the fleet
Fishing again a career as fleet is growing |
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congratulate
Victor Laurenson & Partners
on the delivery of the new Radiant Star
LK71 and wish all the best for the future!
LHD Limited, 5
Alexandra Buildings, Lerwick, Shetland, 01595 693768
e-mail:
info@lhdshetland.co.uk
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