Traditional start-of-the-year mackerel fishery proved fruitful, with boats reporting abundant shoals of good-sized fish

Fishing mainly to the northwest of Orkney, the plentiful fish on the grounds meant the fleet typically worked short, one- or two-day trips, landing their catches into Shetland, Peterhead, Norway and Denmark. The short duration of the trips ensured that the quality of the fish landed was excellent, with mackerel being in good demand from both domestic and international buyers.