The North Sea herring season is now well under way, with around 15 Scottish vessels already fishing east of Shetland and Fair Isle. Most of the remaining fleet is expected to head to sea shortly.
Although the season started slowly, fishing activity has now picked up. The herring being landed are weighing over 200 grams, making them particularly suited for the fillet market.
The roe fishery is set to follow later in the season, continuing into September around traditional spawning grounds.
“The first catches of North Sea herring have been excellent quality, which bodes well for the coming weeks,” said Robert Duthie, chair of the Scottish Pelagic Processors’ Association.
Herring remains a key export product for Scotland, especially to countries like the Netherlands, Germany, Poland and across the Baltic region, where the fish enjoys strong consumer demand.
The North Sea herring fishery holds the distinction of being the only herring fishery in the northeast Atlantic certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for sustainability.
First certified in 2008, it remains one of the UK’s longest-running MSC-certified fisheries.
