SHETLAND SEAFOOD AUCTIONS LOOKS TO THE FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE

Shetland Seafood Auctions looks to the future with confidence. Shetland Seafood Auctions (SSA) experienced a buoyant 2023 with the quantity of fish sold through the electronic auction up on previous years, providing a platform for further growth.

Norma Williamson of SSA told Fish Focus that quota increases for 2024 for several key species, including cod, haddock, whiting and saithe, placed Shetland in a good position to attract even more landings.

“The current situation is encouraging and we get good prices for the fish sold through the electronic auction, which is attracting skippers to land here,” she says.

Almost 390,000 boxes of whitefish were sold through SSA in 2023, representing a significant uplift on previous years. This was the fourth highest year on record, with only 2017 and 2019 recording higher landings.

“We were helped by the ‘Land in Shetland’ campaign by Lerwick Port Authority and Shetland Islands Council, but the big attraction of the auction is the quality of fish sold and the prices achieved. Certainly, one or two boats from NE Scotland now often base themselves here, which is an indication of the good prices and service levels offered,” says Norma.

“The strength of the auction is that it is remote and the number of buyers it attracts, which means better prices for the fish. The buyers don’t need to see the fish because they fully trust the quality and grading, and the way in which the overall system works.”

The auction covers Lerwick and Scalloway fish markets, both of which have recently been modernised into state-of-the-art facilities. Recently, SSA secured funding from Highlands & Islands Enterprise for new weighing and grading equipment, which will further benefit boats landing into Shetland.

Company Manager Martin Leyland, who has been with SSA since 2004, and has overseen its strong development, intends to retire some stage this year, with Norma Williamson, Miranda Gall and Gordon Drummond taking over the management responsibilities.

Dive into the world of opportunities in the seafood industry with Jooble