Lerwick Port Authority will again highlight its commitment to the fishing industry at the Scottish Skipper Expo exhibition and conference in Aberdeen on Thursday 9-Friday 10 May.
On stand C11, neighbouring Shetland Islands Council (C14), there will be continuing joint promotion of the Land in Shetland message following a successful campaign launched last year to highlight the advantages of using the islands’ fishmarkets.
Proximity to rich fishing grounds means reduced fuel costs, carbon footprint, travel time, and easy access to modern facilities, including electronic auction, competitive prices, plus readily available support such as ice, boxes and engineering.
With more Scottish boats using Lerwick, there was a 14% increase to 232,701 in the number of whitefish boxes landed at the port in 2023, compared to the previous year as skippers took advantage of strong prices.
The Port Authority is a shareholder in Shetland Seafood Auctions, which, following considerable growth in fish handled and confidence in the future, has continued to upgrade the electronic auction facilities at the Lerwick market.
Captain Calum Grains, Lerwick Port Authority Chief Executive, said: “With the increased awareness of the advantages of landing in Shetland, the doubled capacity of our replacement whitefish fishmarket, operational since 2021, improved quotas, and ongoing developments, there is a positive outlook for the sector.”
The Port Authority’s commitment to the industry includes the recent completion of a £601,000 -plus initiative, supported by the UK Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs, to reclaim approximately 4,000 square metres of new industrial land at Arlanda East for development by the pelagic sector.
Adjacent to Pelagia Shetland’s Shetland Catch factory, the Port Authority is now in discussion with the company re expansion of its operations, including a cold store, container handling new quayside.
Visit Stand C11 at Scottish Skipper Expo to learn more about the benefits of Landing In Shetland