The following selection of recent photographs illustrate the high levels of activity and diversity characteristic of fishing in Shetland

The whitefish trawler Venture goes into a trough of a decaying swell, when returning to fishing grounds on the west side of Shetland…

The whitefish trawler Venture goes into a trough of a decaying swell, when returning to fishing grounds on the west side of Shetland…

… before returning 24 hours later in better conditions, with the distinctive profile of Foula again visible in the background, some 20 miles away...

… before returning 24 hours later in better conditions, with the distinctive profile of Foula again visible in the background, some 20 miles away…

… when Venture was one of the last boats to land into Scalloway fishmarket before it closed. Contractors then started to decommission the refrigeration system prior to the structure being demolished, in preparation for building a larger new facility.

… when Venture was one of the last boats to land into Scalloway fishmarket before it closed. Contractors then started to decommission the refrigeration system prior to the structure being demolished, in preparation for building a larger new facility.

 The Anglo-Spanish longliner Sir Miles (formerly Ayr Queen) arriving at Lerwick to land, after fishing east of Shetland.

The Anglo-Spanish longliner Sir Miles (formerly Ayr Queen) arriving at Lerwick to land, after fishing east of Shetland.

Tipping the dredges on the Whalsay scalloper Sondra. (Photo: Ivan Reid)

Tipping the dredges on the Whalsay scalloper Sondra.
(Photo: Ivan Reid)

The Campbeltown 87 whitefish trawlers Mizpah and Courageous stern-on to Mair’s Quay, as the crews look over the gear.

The Campbeltown 87 whitefish trawlers Mizpah and Courageous stern-on to Mair’s Quay, as the crews look over the gear.

 The crew of the small Norwegian purser Arnøyfjord utilise weather-enforced time ashore to check their purse-seine, while waiting to return to mackerel grounds SE of Sumburgh Head.

The crew of the small Norwegian purser Arnøyfjord utilise weather-enforced time ashore to check their purse-seine, while waiting to return to mackerel grounds SE of Sumburgh Head.

The midwater trawlers Antares and Antarctic II, berthed on the inner face of the new Holmsgarth North pier, reflect late afternoon sunlight, prior to catching the balance of their mackerel quota.

The midwater trawlers Antares and Antarctic II, berthed on the inner face of the new Holmsgarth North pier, reflect late afternoon sunlight, prior to catching the balance of their mackerel quota.

Whalsay skipper George Andrew Williamson’s inshore trawler Radiance, towing for squid off Skerries.  (Photo: Ivan Reid)

Whalsay skipper George Andrew Williamson’s inshore trawler Radiance, towing for squid off Skerries.
(Photo: Ivan Reid)

Local and visiting whitefish boats (Alison Kay, Ocean Reaper IV, Venture and Boy Andrew) sheltering at Scalloway.

Local and visiting whitefish boats (Alison Kay, Ocean Reaper IV, Venture and Boy Andrew) sheltering at Scalloway.

Copious, Opportune, Searcher and Radiant Star berthed on the quay adjacent to the fishmarket at Scalloway, which is scheduled to be demolished next month before construction of the new market commences.

Copious, Opportune, Searcher and Radiant Star berthed on the quay adjacent to the fishmarket at Scalloway, which is scheduled to be demolished next month before construction of the new market commences.

May Lily returning to Hamnavoe after jigging for mackerel.

May Lily returning to Hamnavoe after jigging for mackerel.

The Norwegian purse-seiner Sulebas enters Lerwick harbour ahead of a storm force 10 southerly gale.

The Norwegian purse-seiner Sulebas enters Lerwick harbour ahead of a storm force 10 southerly gale.

The visiting Peterhead twin-rig trawler Benarkle II landing whitefish into Lerwick market.

The visiting Peterhead twin-rig trawler Benarkle II landing whitefish into Lerwick market.

Jubilee Spirit making in to land at Lerwick. (Photo: Sydney Sinclair)

Jubilee Spirit making in to land at Lerwick. (Photo: Sydney Sinclair)

The Peterhead midwater trawler Quantus landing to Shetland Pelagia at Gremista. (Photo: Sydney Sinclair)

The Peterhead midwater trawler Quantus landing to Shetland Pelagia at Gremista. (Photo: Sydney Sinclair)

Kevin Sutherland hauling creels onboard Concord off Vidlin.

Kevin Sutherland hauling creels onboard Concord off Vidlin.

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