4 April, 2008

SHETLAND representatives at the UK's biggest commercial fisheries exhibition Fishing 2008 hope to pick up a lot of new contacts and knowledge at the event in Glasgow.

The three day show kicked off yesterday (Thursday) with more than 100 exhibitors from all different aspects of the fishing industry.

The Shetland contingent consists of councillor Iris Hawkins as well as members of the Lerwick Port Authority, NAFC Marine Centre, Shetland Fisherman's Association and the council's ports and harbours department.

SFA chief executive Hansen Black says the upsurge in fishing boats landing their catches on the isles has seen the local industry in good shape recently and the event is a great promotional tool.

“From a Shetland point of view, landings have increased quite dramatically over the last few years. This gives service suppliers, the ports of Lerwick and Scalloway, the opportunity to showcase and sell themselves to a wider industry.

“I think that the exhibition is a good opportunity to meet up with government officials, scientists and other relevant people to do a lot of networking. That is becoming an important part of the exhibition,” Mr Black said.

The event at the SECC in Glasgow runs until tomorrow (Saturday).