The North Sea herring season is getting into full swing with around 15 Scottish boats now fishing and most of the rest of the fleet putting to sea shortly.

So far, the fishery has taken place to the east of Shetland and Fair Isle.  The fishing was slow to begin with but is now picking up, with the fish being 200 grams plus in weight, making them ideal for the fillet market.  The roe fishery will take place slightly later and into September around the traditional spawning areas to the east of Shetland and around Fair Isle.

In some countries, most notably the Netherlands, Germany, Poland and the Baltic states, herring is extrememly popular and forms an important part of the herring export business from Scotland.

Robert Duthie, chairman of the Scottish Pelagic Processors’ Association, said: “The first catches of North Sea herring have been excellent quality, which bodes well for the coming weeks.”

North Sea herring is the only herring fishery in the north-east Atlantic that is independently certified by the MSC for its sustainable and responsible fishing practices. The fishery was first certified in 2008 and is one of the longest running MSC certified fisheries in the UK.