Fish landings into Shetland during 2014 were worth a total of £155million, new figures show.
The islands’ own boats brought in 134,000 tonnes of fish, worth £112 million, in a huge leap for volume and value last year.
Tonnage was up by 64% and the total value by 42%, compared with 2013.
The figures were compiled by Ian Napier of the NAFC Marine Centre in Scalloway using UK Marine Management Organisation and Marine Scotland statistics.
Shetland Fish Producers’ Organisation chief executive Brian Isbister said they underlined the importance of the Shetland fishing industry to the Scottish and UK economies.
He added: “We’ve seen a steady improvement in most of the key stocks of fish over the past few years.
“Meanwhile, the constituent parts of the industry in Shetland have been working together to ensure we have modern, fit-for-purpose shoreside facilities and quality control systems in place, as well as a good evidence base about stocks from local scientists.
“These factors help to explain why we are seeing such positive landing figures. There is a confidence back in the industry. You can also see that in the investment that is taking place in modernising the fleet.”
More fish and shellfish were landed in Shetland in 2014 than any other port in the UK, apart from Peterhead.
Most of the rise in volume is attributed to increased mackerel landings in the wake of an international compromise on quotas.