NEW E-AUCTION INTRODUCED AT PETERHEAD FISH MARKET

Peterhead Port Authority has introduced a new E-Auction system in its fish market to replace of the traditional shout-out auction.

Final testing was being carried out as this publication went to press and the technology was due to go live on 31st March.

Extensive training has been carried out on the system since January, and new grading standards and size grading criteria have been introduced.

PPA Fishing Business Unit Manager Marshall Birnie said: “Peterhead Port Authority is committed to maintaining transparent, consistent and recognised quality standards to protect buyers, sellers, end consumers and the reputation of Scottish seafood.”

The E-Auction is designed to further enhance Peterhead’s position as the largest whitefish market in Europe.

A new platform – KOSMOS – developed by Belgian e-auction specialists Aucxis has been extensively trialled with input from all stakeholders.

Operating via electronic platforms, it allows for a broader range of processors potentially to source fish from Peterhead.

Under a licensing agreement, local firms P&J Johnstone Ltd and Don Fishing Ltd are providing auctioneering services.

Graeme Reid, PPA Chief Executive Officer, said: “This e-auction is the culmination of more than £70 million worth of investment in Port facilities in the last 10 years, including the new market itself, that will further reinforce and future-proof our position as the leading fish port in Europe.”

The Port supports a wide range of fish processing activity throughout its extensive estate, and in line with its Trust Port ethos is always seeking improvements to infrastructure and service provision.

It is also developing six modern fish processing units at the former Mapco facility at Gerries Yard close to Europe’s largest fishmarket.

They are replacing the units at Albert Street and Volum Street, which will be cleared in due course. No specific use has been identified for this site, however the port recognises that this is an excellent location for a large-scale processor to establish a state-of-the-art facility.

PPA chief financial officer Stephen Paterson explained: “This is a major upgrade to small-scale processing facilities at the port, in line with the modernisation that has taken place with the construction of the new fish market and the huge investment in the harbour itself to give vessels access 24-7-365.”

Meanwhile, the new £3.5 million ice-making plant is up and running at the port and has had a successful first year in service, further enhancing its support for the processing and catching sectors.

The factory, located on Greenhill Quay adjacent to the fish market, is far more efficient and much more accessible than the two old plants it replaces, both from roadside and the quayside.

It means lorries can park easily and safely to load ice for fish processing facilities and vessels can take on supplies of ice at any state of the tide.