120 arrivals for the period
Whitefish totalled 12,400 boxes from three Scottish trawl, eight Anglo long-line and three freezer netter landings. Scottish effort is well down on previous years with a couple of big boats sold abroad and others facing lengthy repair work. The Inverness-registered Adventurer has been fishing at Rockall targeting spring haddocks and reports plenty small fish across all grounds but very little quality on show. Thankfully, fish prices are very high, but with fuel prices almost doubled, all sectors are struggling to make ends meet. The Anglo fleet continues to target high value hake and monkfish with reasonable results.
Shellfish was once again hectic with seventy-two landings from prawn trawlers combining with the efforts of the resident creel fleet. The Minch spring prawn fishery continues to deliver good catches despite the increased effort in recent weeks.
Non-fishing was once again predominated by the aquaculture sector with thirty-three fishfarm support vessels calling in for crew, fuel, stores and to land salmon. In addition the coastguard tug Ievoli Black called in for their monthly crew change and the cruise ship Viking Neptune (picture Steven Gourlay) made the first call of the year on a cold and sunny morning. Weather permitting, 2026 will be a record year for cruise visits with forty-six vessels in the diary, 1.7 million tonnes of shipping carrying a combined total of 51,000 passengers and crew.
Projects continue in 2026 with a new fire escape for the harbour building already approved and a full refurbishment of the former Caley Oils building, subject to planning.