NEW LANDINGS RECORD AT PETERHEAD

New landings record at Peterhead. Peterhead Port Authority smashed its record for fish landings early this year, with more than £257 million worth of catches traded across the quaysides by the end of November.

That easily surpassed the £232 million total for the whole of 2023, further cementing Peterhead’s position as the largest fisheries port in Europe.

Total landings to 30^th November 2024 stood at 219,269 tonnes with a gross value of £257,288,470, compared to 189,805 tonnes worth £225,947,904 from the beginning of January to the end of November 2023.

Over the same period whitefish accounted for 54,502 tonnes worth £100,184,023 (52,765 tonnes worth £96,785,626 Jan-Nov 2023).

Pelagic stocks reached 159,229 tonnes worth £143,253,386 (131,534 tonnes worth £113,082,36 Jan-Nov 2023).

Shellfish figures were 5,538 tonnes worth £13,851,061 (5,506 tonnes worth £16,079,913 Jan-Nov 2023).

Peter Duncan, PPA head of fishing – commercial, said:

“It has certainly been a huge year for landings, with a further increase in pelagic landings due to the economic link and a more modest increase in whitefish landings.

“The Port provides first-class facilities and infrastructure for both the landing and selling of fish, and we place a premium on quality.

“But we will not be resting on our laurels – we strive constantly to improve our contribution to the seafood supply chain.”

In recent years PPA has invested over £50 million in a new state-of-the-art fish market and quayside improvements that allow for vessels to land at all states of the tide.

Peterhead Fish Market this year successfully renewed its key storage and distribution accreditation from BRCGS and has Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) chain of custody status, highlighting its reputation as a centre of sustainable seafood excellence.

Peterhead was also the first UK port to receive Responsible Fishing Port status from Seafish.

The Port’s ongoing support for the fishing industry was further underlined by its investment the new ice factory adjacent to the fish market that was completed this year.