Lerwick Port Authority has reported that the gradual recovery in activity at Lerwick harbour continued in the fourth quarter of 2021 in the wake of Covid-19, with the year ending on a cautiously positive note.

Annual figures show improvements in various sectors in the 12 months to December, compared to 2020, which was also impacted by the pandemic.

There was a 9% drop in fishing vessels using the port in 2021, as the impacts of reduced demand in the hospitality sector, Brexit challenges and reductions in available quotas continued to be felt through various stages of last year. Nevertheless, whitefish landings remained steady at 204,534 boxes, down less than 1% on 2020.

“Whitefish landings are expected to remain at similar levels in the foreseeable,” said Lerwick Port Authority chief executive Captain Calum Grains.

“We’re heading slowly in the right direction, with a long way to go to get back to normal levels.”

This story was taken from the latest issue of Fishing News. For more up-to-date and in-depth reports on the UK and Irish commercial fishing sector, subscribe to Fishing News here or buy the latest single issue for just £3.30 here

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