News / Crabs create jobs
A SMALL Shetland whitefish processing and sales company is expanding by diversifying into sustainably fished brown crab.
Scalloway based QA Fish said on Wednesday that they were more than doubling their workforce from six to 15.
The company, headed by directors Gordon Johnson and Robert Williamson, have set up a brown crab processing operation at Blacksness Pier.
The local fishery for brown crab received the prestigious Marine Stewardship Council (MCA) certification, last year.
QA Fish is now cooking, processing and freezing the locally landed brown crab for a single customer in the south east of Scotland.
Johnson said it made perfect sense to set such an operation at Blacksness Pier.
“This is a completely new project for us, for which we have a ready market.
“We buy around 10 to 12 tonnes of brown crab per week from local boats, and cook, grade and freeze the product ready for dispatch by refrigerated container to our customer.
“Customers are becoming more and more conscientious about the origin of produce, so it is important for us that we can verify throughout the supply chain that our seafood comes from a sustainable and well-managed resource,” he said.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.