Marine / Local winners at fishing awards
THERE were a couple of local winners at this year’s Fishing News Awards.
Altaire skipper Chris Duncan landed the pelagic fisherman of the year prize at the event last week.
Fishing News said: “He is an ambassador for the industry, always willing to take the time to show people around Altaire, explain how the electronics work, and tell them the history of the vessel.
“Despite the challenges that the industry can and does provide, he just gets on with the job in hand in an understated but highly efficient manner. He’s a laid-back professional, and always the first to go when the season gets underway.”
The Research, meanwhile, picked up the new pelagic boat of the year award.
The 80m Whalsay vessel, which was launched last year, is the first in Scotland to be equipped with electric-drive deck machinery.
The trawler is also the first boat in the world to use electric fish pumps.
There were a total of seven Shetland nominations at this year’s Fishing News Awards, with the Serene and Tranquility also up for prizes.
Duncan Cumming of the Avrella was up for a fisherman of the year award, while Ross Sutherland of the Arcturus was nominated in the young fishermen section.
The sustainability award saw the Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation (SSMO) among those shortlisted.
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