250 guests attended the presentation evening for the Fishing News Awards 2016, which was held in the Hilton Aberdeen Treeptops Hotel on Thursday 26 May.

Sponsored by Box Pool Solutions, Coast, Gael Force, Peterhead Port Authority Seafish, Sunderland Marine and Acceleris, the Fishing News Awards 2016 presentations celebrated the achievements and positive developments that the industry continues to deliver, but which are seldom recognised.

The 11 categories of awards presented during the evening, including two sets of joint winners, reflected the common high standard of commitment, dedication and professionalism that characterised the finalists, each one of whom paid tribute to the achievements of their fellow nominees.

During the course of a superb seafood meal, for which the natural products were generously donated by the Scottish Fishermen’s Organisation and Lunar, guests were equally generous in the request to give a donation to support the invaluable work of the Fishermen’s Mission.

WINNERS

Fishing News Awards 2016

Demersal Fisherman of the Year

250 guests attended the presentation evening for the Fishing News Awards 2016, which was held in the Hilton Aberdeen Treeptops Hotel on Thursday 26 May.

The capacity audience represented all sectors of the fishing industry. Guests from all parts of the UK were able to meet and socialise with friends and colleagues in a relaxed atmosphere, which was one of the features of what was universally judged to be an extremely enjoyable and successful evening. Sponsored by Box Pool Solutions, Coast, Gael Force, Peterhead Port Authority Seafish, Sunderland Marine and Acceleris, the Fishing News Awards 2016 presentations celebrated the achievements and positive developments that the industry continues to deliver, but which are seldom recognised. The 11 categories of awards presented during the evening, including two sets of joint winners, reflected the common high standard of commitment, dedication and professionalism that characterised the finalists, each one of whom paid tribute to the achievements of their fellow nominees. During the course of a superb seafood meal, for which the natural products were generously donated by the Scottish Fishermen’s Organisation and Lunar, guests were equally generous in the request to give a donation to support the invaluable work of the Fishermen’s Mission.

WINNERS

Fishing News Awards 2016 Demersal Fisherman of the Year Sponsored by Peterhead Port Authority Winner: James Locker Finalists: Andrew Bremner and John Clark Pelagic Fisherman of the Year Winner: William Whyte Finalists: George Anderson and Lowrie Irvine Shellfish Fisherman of the Year Sponsored by Gael Force Winner: John Affleck Finalists: Ashley Blakebrough and John Poll Fish Processor of the Year 2015 Sponsored by Seafish Winner: Flatfish Ltd, Grimsby Finalists: Dawnfresh Seafoods Ltd and Scotprime Seafoods Ltd Coastal Fish Restaurant of the Year Sponsored by Coast 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 Outstanding Contribution Andrew ‘Andra’ Tait (1938- 2016) Technical Innovation of the Year Sponsored by Box Pool Solutions Ltd Joint winners: Lobster POD –Todd Fisheries Technology Square Beam Trawl – Brixham Trawl Makers Ltd Finalist: QUIKSLING Safety Award of the Year Sponsored by Sunderland Marine Winner: NFFO: Robert Greenwood, Fishing Safety Officer Finalists: RNLI Fishing Safety Team, and Seafish, Sea You Home Safe campaign Boat of the Year 2015 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 Port of the Year 2015 Winner: Brixham Finalists: Ardglass and Peterhead Young Fisherman of the Year 2015 Joint Winners: Harry Simper and Ian Shearer Finalists: Ryan Corbett, Andrew Mclean and Beejay Tapper Lifetime Achievement Sponsored by Fishing News Winner: Billy Hughes Finalists: Dick James Jim Portus Kenneth MacNab Leslie Tait Full coverage can be seen in the June 9 issue