RESILIENCE AND INNOVATION UNDERPIN SHETLAND SEAFOOD AND SHELLFISH GROWING SECTOR

Resilience and innovation underpin Shetland seafood and shellfish growing sector

Overcoming the ramifications of Brexit in terms of exporting product to the EU and ensuring a reliable ferry service to the Scottish mainland are two of the biggest issues facing Shetland seafood processors and shellfish growers, according to Ruth Henderson, chief executive of Seafood Shetland.

She told Fish Focus that  Seafood Shetland members (seafood processors and shellfish growers) have generally faced an increase in paperwork, associated costs, and delivery times for exports into Europe, after leaving the EU. In particular,  members attempting to export added value products (with multiple ingredients) are finding the bureaucracy particularly difficult and time-consuming.

Ruth Henderson

“Overall, the larger the operator, the more resources and systems are available to overcome such hurdles. It is the smaller companies that suffer most and, as a result, may choose to focus their efforts on UK or other overseas markets. We don’t envisage that the new UK Government will be in a position to bring about any changes to this in the short term.”

With regards to freight capacity for getting seafood to key markets, Ruth Henderson said:  “We are fortunate that hauliers and ferry operator work together to prioritise time-sensitive product, with dedicated space set aside for seafood trailers on a nightly basis. The difficulty is that our [ferry] fleet is now aging and that there is absolutely no contingency in place to mitigate any disruption when vessels are out of service. We appreciate that replacement vessels are on the cards, yet no budget has been allocated for the actual build. Meanwhile, pressure on the service builds with an increase in traffic on the route, with more visitors and freight vying for space.

“The strategic position that gives Shetland the edge in terms of both catching and rearing fish also means we are at a competitive disadvantage when it comes to getting product to market. As a result, we rely heavily on a Government-controlled transport infrastructure that is not commercially aware.”

However, despite these issues there is much to be optimistic about, especially in the Shetland shellfish growing sector.

“Shellfish farming has been successful in Shetland – with people diversifying from other areas of the fishing industry,” said Ruth Henderson.  “Hard work and tenacity has led to its success. An industry that is highly dependent on the natural environment for its existence will base expansion plans on maintaining optimum quality and protecting our precious resource. For example, an industry-wide initiative, Shell-volution, aims to transform shellfish aquaculture, bringing sustainable growth and additional quality jobs in mussel farming, based on detailed investigations (mapping and monitoring) and creating a model for improving security and reliability of wild spat recruitment, through industry best practice. The project is part of the Island Growth Deal, supported with investment from the UK Government.

“We are also seeing the beginnings of oyster production in Shetland. Still in its infancy, with small production levels, it is another quality Shetland product, that is already finding its place in a very niche market.

“Shetland is regarded as a destination that produces good quality seafood, particularly by fishmongers and the food service industry. We want to do everything we can to protect that good reputation, so that we always attract a premium for the product.”

She added: “The industry always faces unprecedented challenges – from worldwide events to recruitment issues and local ferry disruptions. For example, we acknowledge that offshore wind development could be problematic for fishing, and the threat of politically driven environmental initiatives loom large. The seafood industry, and the environment in which we operate, is not easy, but we are resilient: we always have been and always will be.”

Source Interview