2016 Awards Winners
The Fishing News Awards 2016 were a great success, honouring industry professionals and organisations within commercial fishing that were at the top of their game in 2015. The winners of the 12 awards were:
Demersal Fisherman of the Year, Sponsored by Peterhead Port Authority
![Demersal Fisherman of the Year](/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Winner-James-Locker-Demersal-250x375.jpg)
James Locker, Our Lass III WY 261
Winner: James Locker
Finalists: Andrew Bremner and John Clark
Pelagic Fisherman of the Year
![Pelagic Fisherman of the Year](/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Winner-William-Whyte-Pelagic-250x375.jpg)
William Whyte, Forever Grateful FR249
Winner: William Whyte
Finalists: George Anderson and Lowrie Irvine
Shellfish Fisherman of the Year, sponsored by Gael Force
![Shellfish Fisherman of the Year](/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/John-Affleck-Shellfish-250x378.jpg)
John Affleck, Soph-Ash-Jay LH 20
Winner: John Affleck
Finalists: Ashley Blakebrough and John Poll
Safety Award of the Year, sponsored by Sunderland Marine
![Boat of the Year 2015](https://fishingnews.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/FNA-8cropped-300x240.jpg)
In 2016, Simon Rimmer presented the Boat of the Year Award to Guardian Angell partners Michael Henderson, Mark Hoseason and Lindsay Inkster.
Winner: NFFO: Robert Greenwood, Fishing Safety Officer
Finalists: RNLI Fishing Safety Team, and Seafish, Sea You Home Safe campaign
Technical Innovation of the Year 2015 sponsored by Box Pool Solutions Ltd
![Technical Innovation of the Year 2015](https://fishingnews.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/FNA-5cropped2-300x200.jpg)
The Technical Innovation of the Year 2015category resulted in joint winners Lobster Pod and Square Beam Trawl receiving two awards: left to right Jim Portus (representing Darren Edwards, Brixham Trawl Makers Ltd), Mike Park of Award sponsors Box Pool Solutions, Laura Johnson, Keith Todd and Erin Todd of Lobster Pod, and host Simon Rimmer.
Joint winners:
Lobster POD –Todd Fisheries Technology
Square Beam Trawl – Brixham Trawl Makers Ltd
Finalist: QUIKSLING
Fish Processor of the Year, sponsored by Seafish
![Fish Processor of the Year 2015](https://fishingnews.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/FNA-6cropped2-300x200.jpg)
Nigel Clarke, Richard and Steve Stansfield of Flatfish Ltd with Simon Rimmer after receiving the Fish Processor Award from Marcus Coleman of sponsors Seafish.
Winner: Flatfish Ltd, Grimsby
Finalists: Dawnfresh Seafoods Ltd and Scotprime Seafoods Ltd
Coastal Fish Restaurant of the Year, sponsored by Coast magazine
![Coastal Fish Restaurant of the Year](/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Winners-Oldboatbouse-Seafood-Restaurant-250x375.jpg)
Martin Charlton, chef and founder of The Old Boat House, Amble
Winner: The Old Boathouse, Amble
Finalists:
– Café Fish
– Hix Oyster and Fish House
– Kishorn Seafood Bar
– Longsands Fish Kitchen
– Magpie Café
– Outlaws Fish Kitchen
– River Exe Café
– Rockfish
– The Salt Room
Port of the Year 2015
![Port of the Year 2015](/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Winner-Barry-Young-Brixham-Port-250x375.jpg)
Brixham, represented by Barry Young of Brixham Trawler Agents
Winner: Brixham
Finalists: Ardglass and Peterhead
Boat of the Year 2015
![Safety Award of the Year](/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/FNA-7cropped-650x434.jpg)
Simon Rimmer presents the Boat of the Year Award to Guardian Angell partners Michael Henderson, Mark Hoseason and Lindsay Inkster.
Winner: Guardian Angell LK 272
Finalists:
– Álsviør K 337
– Freedom B BK 532
– Genesis Enigma H 20
– Guiding Star CY 191
– Kirkella H 7
– La Creole II BM 177
– Our Dylan Ben BD 207
– Steadfast N 315
– Vanguard KY 18
Young Fisherman of the Year
![Young Fisherman of the Year](/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Winner-Harry-Simper-Young-Fish-250x375.jpg)
Harry Simper, Silver Harvest IH 311
![Young Fisherman of the Year](/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Ian-Shearer-Young-250x333.jpg)
Ian Shearer, Courageous LK 470
Joint Winners:
Harry Simper and Ian Shearer
Finalists:
– Ryan Corbett
– Andrew Mclean
– Beejay Tapper
Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Fishing News
![Lifetime Achievement Award](/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Billy-Hughes-Lifetimecropped-250x333.jpg)
Billy Hughes
Winner: Billy Hughes
Finalists:
– Dick James
– Jim Portus
– Kenneth MacNab
– Leslie Tait
Outstanding Contribution
![Outstanding Contribution Award](/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Outstandingcropped-650x743.jpg)
Peter Tait (left) accepted the outstanding contribution award for the late Andrew Tait
Recipient: Andrew ‘Andra’ Tait (1938- 2016)
Place your nomination(s) for the Fishing News Awards 2017 by clicking here