130 arrivals for the period
Whitefish totalled 15,250 boxes from eight Scottish trawl, two Anglo long-line and three freezer netters. Scottish lads persist at Rockall where haddock are plentiful but depending on level of supply, prices are very varied. The Anglo boats continue to fish well along the shelf edge for mainly hake, monkfish and ling; all catches are exported directly to the continent.
Shellfish continues to thrive with prawns plentiful in the Minches for both the creel and trawl fleet. Sixty-four prawn trawlers landed in the period along with three scallopers which all combined with the efforts of the local fleet.
Non-fishing once again predominantly comprised aquaculture (thirty-six), cruise ships (ten) combined with seven visits from a couple of dive charter vessels. The cruise season is reaching its peak with up to four scheduled calls weekly. Despite the disappointing summer weather, passenger feedback is always positive leading to repeat bookings in subsequent years.
Leisure traffic has started to tail off with weather and wind direction playing its part. A flotilla of sixteen Dutch yachts known collectively as Ocean People called in on their circumnavigation of the UK. Arriving from Stornoway the group had a great weekend in sunshine before heading north to Orkney and from there back home to the Netherlands.
Harbour projects are a bit mundane and more than a bit costly. At present, tendering is underway for more than 600 replacement anodes, numerous fishing pier fender repairs plus bollard/fairlead testing round all berths. On a brighter note, the Caley Oils building drawings are progressing well and the recently completed bat survey drew a blank with no further investigations required. Pictured is an architects’ rendering of how it might come together.