26 September 2007

A UNIQUE and untested partnership to prepare Shetland’s most important indigenous industry for future challenges was launched yesterday afternoon (Tuesday).

The strategy for a successful and sustainable seafood industry was drawn up by representatives from industry bodies and local government agencies over the last two years.

The aim is to help the various sectors of the industry develop, to survive in an increasingly competitive market place, and to target niche markets where higher prices can be achieved for a prime product.

The isles seafood industries is made up of a buoyant pelagic fishing and processing sector, an large aquaculture farming and processing sector that has survived the crisis a few years ago and is now strongly developing into organic salmon as well as new species such as cod, a whitefish sector that is slowly recovering, a strong and important mussel farming industry, as well as large fleet of smaller vessels targeting high value species such as scallops or langoustines.

The industry is worth around £200 million and provides around a quarter of all jobs in the isles.

Yesterday, the director of the NAFC Marine Centre, an island based research and education facility, Peter Dryburgh said that the wellbeing of the islands was largely depended on the future prospects of its seafood industries.

He said the project group, which he chairs, had identified “key drivers of success”. They are:

- adding value locally
- targeting higher value markets;
- improving working practises and
- developing skills and career opportunities.

Chief executive of HIE Shetland, Dr Ann Black said it was clear that the various sectors had to work in partnership to answer to challenges of large global markets.

“To take advantage of the rapid global expansion of the seafood industry and meet increasing demand, it is clear that the industry in Shetland has to work together to maintain the high quality of its produce,” she said.

One of the strategies put forward was to better market and brand Shetland as a place where high quality seafood are produced.

David Sandison, the general manager of Shetland Aquaculture said: “One of the ways we can do this is to ensure the seafood trade, customers and consumers know all about the very high standards we operate to. We are fully committed to a continuous strive to retain our reputation in the marketplace."

Ruth Henderson, the chief executive of Seafood Shetland, added: "Shetland is already synonymous with high quality seafood and we need to make sure that the world knows about it.

“One of the ways to do this is by working together and understanding and prioritising our activities to reach, what is, the same ultimate goal: to increase the value of Shetland's seafood industry.”

The project partners are the NAFC Marine Centre, Seafood Shetland, Shetland Aquaculture, Shetland Development Trust, HIE Shetland, Shetland Fish Producers Organisation and Shetland Islands Council.