Lerwick fish landings recover – Fishupdate.com

Lerwick fish landings recover Published:  26 July, 2007

FISH landings at Lerwick harbour have recovered after experiencing a dip due to the sudden closure of the mackerel fishing season, last year.

Figures release by Lerwick Port authority today show that landings rose by 18.6 per cent to 60,842 tonnes during the first six months of the year.

At the same time, the value of landings was up by almost 20 per cent, rising to £28 million.

Of these, whitefish landings remained unchanged totaling 4,771 tonnes worth £6.9 million, which represents a rise in value by 3.7 per cent. The average price per tonne of whitefish was £1,448.

Meanwhile, landings rose by 12 percent to 25,706 tonnes in the pelagic sector. At a value of £16 million, this represents an increase of 8 per cent.

Landings at Shetland’s fishmeal plant at Heogan, on the island of Bressay, rose significantly by 21.6 per cent to 30,232 tonnes, valued at £5.2 million; an increase of 60 per cent in value.

Port chief executive Sandra Laurenson said that with the fishing industry performing strongly a busy second half of the year was expected.

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