SHETLAND bucked the national trend last year to record a rise in the volume and value of sales of fish landings.
The Shetland islands accounted for just under a quarter of the weight and almost a fifth of the value of all fish landed in Scotland. More fish was landed in the islands than in England, Wales and Northern Ireland combined and it reached higher prices than the rest of the country.
Islanders point to local investment as one of the main reasons, such as the development of Shetland's electronic fish auction.
It operates on a Dutch auction principle with prices starting high and coming down to meet the level the buyers will pay rather than starting low. It is also open to bidders from anywhere using phone or internet, and not just local buyers.
Brian Isbister, chief executive of Shetland Fish Producers' Organisation, said continued investment in the fleet and shoreside facilities combined with a partnership approach was paying dividends.
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