Nearly 250 guests attended the presentation evening for the Fishing News Awards 2018, which was held in the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Aberdeen Treetops on Thursday, 24 May
The audience represented all sectors of the fishing industry, including fishermen and their families, boatbuilders/designers, equipment suppliers, fisheries scientists, ports, processors, service companies and training colleges. Finalists and their guests, from as far apart as Cornwall and Shetland, were able to meet and socialise with friends and colleagues in a relaxed atmosphere – one of the features of what was universally judged to be an extremely enjoyable and successful evening.
Sponsored by Box Pool Solutions, Coast, The Fishmongers’ Company, Peterhead Port Authority, Seafish, Sunderland Marine and Acceleris, the Fishing News Awards 2018 presentations celebrated the achievements and positive developments that the industry continues to deliver, but which all too often don’t receive the recognition they deserve.
The 13 categories of awards presented during the evening included two sets of joint winners and two Special Achievement Awards, reflecting the extremely high standard of commitment, dedication and professionalism that characterised each finalist, all of whom paid tribute to the achievements of their fellow nominees.
During the course of the seafood meal, for which the ingredients were supplied by AGD Duff Ltd of Aberdeen, in conjunction with Amity Fish and the Scottish Seafood Association, guests generously donated £2,500 to support the invaluable work of the Fishermen’s Mission. The Mission was represented on the night by CEO David Dickens, and partnerships manager Dean Lawrence, together with North East Scotland superintendents Miriam Kemp, Steve Murray and Kenny Brandie.
Featured Images (above):
- The finalists together on stage at the end of an evening in which the overall winner was clearly the UK fishing industry in its entirety.
- The main function room at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Aberdeen Treetops, ready to receive nearly 250 guests who attended the Fishing News Awards 2018 presentation evening.
- Paul, Pauline and Hayden Duff and Ashleigh Hall of AGD Duff and Partners, which supplied the MSC-accredited North Sea haddock and cod for the meal.
Awards Host Fred MacAulay
Host Fred MacAulay.
The well-known Scottish comedian Fred MacAulay entertained guests for 20 minutes with a series of quick-fire jokes delivered in his own unique style. These were well received by guests and elicited continuous laughter from the audience.
Fred MacAulay contributed further humour during the awards presentation by adding asides at every opportunity, to ensure that the presentations were conducted in a lively manner.
Later in the evening, he was receptive to requests for selfies from guests, while socialising freely.
Of the honours, Fred said: “The fishing industry is buffeted by political issues at the moment, but away from that, the focus should be on the men and women who work long hours in extremely challenging conditions.
“These awards are an essential celebration of their efforts to put healthy, sustainable food on our tables all year round.”
Welcome Address
Welcoming guests to the Fishing News Awards 2018, Kelsey Media publisher Pat Eggington said: “As you all know, these awards are designed to celebrate the achievements, innovations and successes of the UK and Irish commercial fishing industries through 2017.
“They’re also an opportunity to catch up with one another, and to compare notes on what the year has brought us. This time last year, I looked back on 2016 as a year of significant decisions, bringing with them a large degree of hope for the UK fishing industry, but also more than a little uncertainty.
“Well, it has to be said that by the end of 2017, the uncertainty’s still very much there, and is now accompanied by a degree of unease as to how things might play out.
Pat Eggington.
“That’s why evenings like this one are important. They encourage us to look to the positive, to shine a spotlight on stand-out examples of what’s good about this industry, and the individuals within it. They give us a positive story to take to the wider public, to reinforce the message that this industry is always striving to move forwards, and is peopled by individuals who can succeed – often literally – in all weathers.
“And we know that the people who will be on stage tonight are very much representative of many others who have also achieved similar things, and gone to great lengths – more often than not, unheralded and in perilous conditions – to get food onto people’s tables.
“So we’ll be doing our best – with help from our communications partner Acceleris – to spread this message as far as we can, so that the wider public can properly appreciate the commitment, determination and expertise that it takes to produce what many people take for granted – high-quality fish and seafood, caught in sustainable and well-managed fisheries.
“I’m pleased to say that this year’s awards have once again seen growth in both the number of people nominated for awards, and the number of votes received within our voting categories.
“We are pleased to see that the awards are, as usual, geographically representative of the industry as a whole – as the range of people and organisations on stage tonight indicates. We also strive to cover as many aspects of commercial fishing as possible, and, for this year, many of you will have noticed that we have two new categories: the Trainee Fisherman of the Year Award, which will recognise the most outstanding new entrant of 2017; and the Sustainability Award, which will recognise outstanding innovations and achievements that improve sustainability and environmental responsibility within our industry.”
David Linkie
“Sincere thanks to Fishing News readers for supporting the 2018 Awards to the extent they did, to the sponsors and to everyone who contributed to the evening.
David Linkie.
“The strength of the nominations received this year was extremely high, and testimony to the dedication and professionalism of the finalists, who collectively represent the full spectrum of experience and geographical location across the UK.
“It is particularly encouraging that a large number of shortlisted nominees attended the awards evening, many of whom gave up valuable fishing time and travelled long distances.
“Congratulations to the winners, and special thanks to all the finalists for taking the awards in the spirit they are meant – as a celebration of the achievements of the UK fishing industry as a united team effort.
“It is extremely encouraging to see that the fishing industry is now reaping the benefits of a wide range of pioneering initiatives voluntarily put in place more than 10 years ago, both in terms of catching and processing.
“Confidence in the long-term future of fishing in some areas of the UK is at the highest level most in the industry have experienced in their lifetime. The number of new vessels now on order is at an all-time high. Similar high levels of reinvestment are being seen onshore, with new harbour facilities and fishmarkets, at the same time as service companies and processors engage in farsighted developments.
“The annual Fishing News Awards evening recognises the efforts and commitment that everyone in the UK contributes to the overall team effort.”
£2,500 raised for Fishermen’s Mission
Guests attending the Fishing News Awards 2018 dinner participated in a prize draw to raise funds for the Fishermen’s Mission.
When the donations placed in tumblers left on the tables were quickly added up, Fred MacAulay’s announcement that the draw had generated £2,500, before Fishermen’s Mission CEO David Dickens received a presentation cheque from David Linkie, was deservedly and warmly applauded by everyone in the room.
David Dickens then proceeded to draw five winners’ names out of a fish basket. The first prize of a complimentary night’s bed and breakfast for two, generously donated by the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Aberdeen Treetops, was won by young Molly Ladd.
Brunch for two, again donated by the hotel, went to Jenny Price from Bridlington.
Having accompanied his daughter Molly onto the stage, Ryan Ladd made a quick return to collect a bottle of whisky donated by Fishing News.
Two more winners, Shannon Buchan of Banff and Kinlochbervie skipper James Corbett, returned home with Fishing News hoodies.
David Dickens expressed his heartfelt appreciation to Fishing News and Kelsey Media for promoting the Fishermen’s Mission, and for the generosity shown by guests in contributing towards a fantastic total. He said that the money raised will all be used for front-line services by the three centres, which together cover more than 400 miles of coastline from Inverness to Pittenweem.
