Gavin Morgan

8 February, 2008

SHETLAND’S fishermen appear to be putting recent difficulties behind them and looking to the future with about £44 million worth of fish landed by isles’ boats during 2006.

Figures released yesterday (Thursday) by the NAFC Marine Centre in Scalloway show the total value of fish landed on the isles was nearly £58 million, or 111,000 tonnes, with local vessels catching half of that, at £29 million for 38,000 tonnes.

In addition, the Shetland fleet landed almost £15 million worth or 51,000 tonnes outside the isles bringing the total amount landed by them to 90,000 tonnes, ungutted weight, in 2006.

Combined totals show that the overall value of fish landed in Shetland and outside it by isles’ boats added up to about £73 million.

Shetland Fish Producers’ Organisation chief executive Brian Isbister compared this to how much the oil industry contributes to the local economy each year.

“Of particular note is the direct comparison with the oil industry, a sector that was worth £70 million to the local economy in the same year.

“Huge strides have been made over the last few years. We can look forward with some confidence to a continued improving trend in 2008,” Mr Isbister said.

Dr Ian Napier, of the NAFC, said: “These figures show that despite the difficulties experienced in recent years, the fishing industry continues to make a substantial and important contribution to the local economy.”

Pelagic species such as mackerel and herring contributed almost 90 per cent of the weight of landings in Shetland, but only 60 per cent of the value.

Whitefish such as haddock, whiting or cod represented just 11 per cent of the weight coming into the isles, but 30 per cent of the value.

Dr Napier said: “Pelagic landings had the lowest unit value at £340 per tonne, compared to almost £1,500 per tonne for whitefish, and £2,600 per tonne for shellfish.”