Pete Bevington

20 December, 2008

SHETLAND’S white fish traders have experienced their busiest 12 months for 20 years, with twice as many fish landed in 2008 than four years ago.

The local white fish fleet has picked itself up from the dark days of decommissioning between 2001 and 2003 when the number of vessels was halved from 40 to 20.

The last 15 months have seen five new boats enter the fleet, while vessels from Orkney and further afield regularly land their catch at Lerwick or Scalloway and sell it through the islands electronic auction

This year the auction has sold more than 260,000 boxes of fish, up from around 130,000 in 2004 showing. Landings have steadily risen each year, reaching their highest levels since 1989.

Managing director of Lerwick-based fishing agents LHD, Richie Simpson, said the increase in fuel prices had helped Shetland as it encouraged boats to land closer to the fishing grounds.

A new system of grading fish brought in when the electronic auction opened in August 2003 helped close the gap between mainland and Shetland prices for white fish, also encouraging boats to land in the isles.

Lerwick Port Authority is extending the town’s fish market to accommodate the increase in traffic, after boats have had to be turned away due to the lack of space to take their catch.

The authority has long term plans to build a new fish market with larger and more modern facilities.

Mr Simpson said: “The future here depends on the quotas. The fish seems to be back on the grounds. Quotas and days at sea seem to be the big problems.”