email editor
Peterhead Port Authority has announced the landing of the millionth box of whitefish for 2020
Peterhead Port Authority has announced the landing of the millionth box of whitefish in their fish market for 2020.
The Authority’s Fish Market reached the seven-figure milestone in late November, on a day when 6,458 boxes of fish were sold.
The fishing vessel, Aalskere K377, consigned the millionth box in a 900 box landing of whitefish form Ullapool on the west coast of Scotland on 17 November.
The milestone was achieved in Week 47 of 2020, although for obvious reason it took considerably longer this year in comparison with 2019, when it was achieved in Week 40 and in 2018 at Week 38.
In their monthly newsletter, Peterhead Port Authority writes, “It’s a testament to the dedication and commitment of the entire seafood sector that this vital link in the seafood chain remain operational during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Follow The Fishing Daily
Challenges were faced and met each week to ensure that Peterhead Fish Market remained the focal point of whitefish landings in the UK and Europe. The initial COVID restriction measures included the reduction of the daily market capacity from 10,000 to 5,000 boxes.
This was to facilitate the space required for social distance and proved successful, allowing for a slightly increased capacity of 6,500 boxes to be introduced some weeks later.
Fish landing volumes leveled out following the initial uncertainty of COVID, however both landing volumes and prices have remained at surprisingly buoyant levels.
Peterhead Fish Market installed a thermal imaging temperature scanner linked to an electronic gate. It allows access within two-seconds to anyone whose core body temperature is in the normal range and who is wearing a face mask.
PPE Chief Executive Simon Brebner said, “This was an additional precaution in the fight to protect the fish market and its users from the effects of COVID and to ensure continuity of the services provided.”
