Representing & Supporting Shetland’s Fishermen

White fish landings record smashed
November 13th 2013

White fish landings in Shetland have achieved record levels, with five weeks to go before the market closes for Christmas.

A total of 266,432 boxes had been sold through the electronic auction system by today (Wed 13th November).

That beats the 263,729 boxes landed in 2008 - the previous record year for landings since the system was introduced in 2003.

The average number of boxes landed per week this year is just below 6,000 - compared to just above 5,000 for the whole of 2012. Cod and haddock have been the main species, followed by monkfish, saithe and whiting.

If this trend continues, the total for the year will be between 290,000 and 300,000 boxes.

Martin Leyland of Shetland Seafood Auctions said: "We’ve had excellent landings of high quality fish and the prices have remained high."

Brian Isbister, chief executive of Shetland Fish Producers’ Organisation, said: "Some of our men are saying the fishing is as good as they can remember, and that’s being reflected in the good landings."

The market closes on 18th December.