16 February, 2007

A SHETLAND student from the NAFC Marine College has been nominated for a top fishing industry award and invited to the ceremony in London.

Richard Arthur, from Whalsay, has completed a Class 1 fishing vessel engineer qualification and was nominated in the National Seafood Awards Trainee of the Year category.

Shetland Fisheries Training Association (STFA) co-ordinator Caroline Hepburn nominated Mr Arthur for the award.

She said: "This is the second year running that a former Shetland School of Nautical Studies (SSNS) student has gone to the finals.

"It gives recognition to the high level of training available in Shetland as well as the dedication and skills of young fishermen in the local industry."

He achieved good pass marks throughout his training and has been described by his lecturers as "hard working, conscientious, able to work with minimum supervision and highly self-motivated".

Ms Hepburn added: "I very much hope Richard will travel to London to attend the awards ceremony which should be a memorable and enjoyable experience."