Harbour News 1 – 28 June 2021

53 arrivals for the period

Ullapool Harbour Trust continues to operate during the Covid-19 pandemic as we support vital transport links to the Western Isles and handle routine fishing and commercial traffic. Harbour services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and the harbour can be contacted by phone, email and VHF. Strict social distancing and hygiene measures are in place with restricted access to the harbour building which remains locked at all times.

Whitefish totalled 20,100 boxes from eighteen Scottish trawl and fourteen Anglo long-line landings. The Scottish fleet continues to work west mainly due to lack of North Sea quota. A few vessels are fishing along the shelf edge for deepwater species and monkfish; others are working at Rockall for haddock and more recently, squid which has also appeared on the grounds.

Activity in the shellfish sector has been very quiet although in the last week there are signs of the prawn fishing picking up.  The period saw just three prawn trawl and two offshore crab landings combined with the efforts of the local fleet.

Non-fishing activity was once again dominated by the fishfarm sector. Tank ships Inter Caledonia, Ronjafisk and Aqua Skye called in for their monthly crew changes, fish carrier Migdale was day-running, service vessel Aqua Star came in for equipment and processing vessel Viking Saga made multiple visits loading ice and discharging salmon and finally the MCA tug Ievoli Black called in for fuel and crew.

Shore Street Project Update

Final paperwork is being prepared for the Marine License and Planning Application. The detailed design of the aesthetic appearance of the promenade is still under discussion; the focus is now on material choice.   The resultant work will be displayed on the harbour’s website in due course.