31 January, 2009

SHETLAND experienced record landings of white fish last week, with more than 9,000 boxes going through the ports of Lerwick and Scalloway.

Shetland Seafood Auctions said that 9,400 boxes had been landed during the week, the most for more than 20 years.

On Thursday boats had to be turned away from the islands because they could not handle the amount of fish coming in, despite an extension to the Lerwick fish market being opened this month.

Next month Shetland Islands Council takes possession of an occupied part of the fish market in Scalloway to help meet demand.

Auction manager Martin Leyland said Shetland now attracted the highest prices in Scotland and was the second biggest white fish port after Peterhead.

He said the high fuel prices, days at sea restrictions and electronic auction, the only one in Scotland, all helped to boost prices and encourage more boats to land in the isles.