Awards haul for fishermen

Shetland’s contribution to the fishing sector has gained recognition at a major awards ceremony where Scottish businesses proved big winners.

Skipper of the isles-based Courageous, Ian Shearer, was named the best fisherman in the UK Under the age of 25. Meanwhile, the Guardian Angell took home the ‘New Boat of the Year’ award.

The new vessel arrived in the isles last year after being built in North Yorkshire and brought home by Yell skipper Michael Henderson with partners Mark Hoseason and Lindsay Inkster.

Six gongs were awarded to fishing businesses from north of the border in the UK’s only awards ceremony which celebrates the commercial fishing industry, The Fishing News Awards.

Scottish fishermen won in two of the three main ‘Fisherman of the Year’ categories – pelagic and shellfish – showcasing the determination and skill present across the country.

The awards were presented at a ceremony in Aberdeen last night and were hosted by Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch co-presenter Simon Rimmer.

Brought back after an eight-year absence, the Fishing News Awards celebrate the men and women who work long hours, often in extremely difficult conditions, to put healthy and sustainable food on the table.

David Linkie, Editor of Fishing News, which runs the awards, said: “Scotland has always been famed for the quality and success of its industry, and six wins from eleven categories proves how well-respected it is to this day.”