The value of fish landed at Peterhead during 2016 is expected to smash through the £100million barrier this month.
New figures from Europe’s biggest white-fish port show a total of 90,329tonnes of fish worth more than £90.4million were landed during the first seven months of the year.
At the same stage of 2015, fish landings totalled 83,079tonnes worth about £74.9million.
Peterhead Port Authority (PPA) deputy chief executive and chief financial officer Stephen Paterson said the bigger figures this year were driven by continued increases in the volume and value of white-fish landings, more Norwegian boats landing their catches in the Blue Toon and new markets being found to mitigate the impact of a trade ban with Russia.
The port has also benefited from a resumption of processing at local firm Northbay Pelagic, which suffered a devastating fire at its factory in January 2015.
PPA said the £100million-plus year-to-date figure being breached this month, with four months of 2016 still to go, equalled an annual milestone first reached in 2006.
“It is only 10 years ago that Peterhead first recorded annual fish throughput of over £100million,” Mr Paterson said, adding: “We anticipate breaking through this total during August.”
Confidence in the future of the sector was reflected in the number of new-build vessels being commissioned, the first of which were starting to have an impact on landings, he said.
He added: “For our part, Peterhead Port Authority is making steady progress with plans for a £50million investment in the inner harbours, which will help consolidate the ports position as one of the leading fishing ports in Europe.”
Northbay Pelagic’s restart has helped to mitigate against quota cuts for mackerel and herring, with prices for these species finally rising again after being depressed in the wake of Russia’s seafood import ban.
“The price paid for catches has been higher this year than last,” Mr Paterson said, adding: “This is particularly the case with herring, now fetching around £550 per tonne – up 67% on a year ago. The important late season mackerel fishery will get underway in September.
“There has been a steady increase in the value of white-fish species landed at Peterhead during recent years.
“This has continued in 2016, with an increase of 6% in volume and 12% in value as compared to the same period in 2015.”
Scottish Fishermen’s Federation chief executive Bertie Armstrong added: “These figures reflect increased quotas for many of our key stocks due to the healthy abundance of species such as cod, haddock and mackerel.
“With these stock trends looking set to continue, thanks to careful management and sustainable fishing practices by our fishermen, the outlook for many of our fisheries looks good.
“Restoration of proper control and management under our own stewardship, if Brexit is properly handled, will provide the potential for a really big upward step-change in the fortunes of the industry.”
