Fresh Fish

The wild waters that surround the islands of Shetland are what Shetlanders have depended upon for their livelihood for the past 3,000 years right back to the time of the Picts.

The Fishing Tradition
It is this dependency on the environment that encourages Shetland fishermen to be responsible. Family owned and operated small boats are what future generations are hoping will provide their living in years to come. This vested interest has motivated Shetland fishermen to put environmentally responsible fishing and conservation at the top of their agenda.

Shetland fishermen took a leading role in the introduction of the “square mesh panel” a unique invention that enables small and immature fish to escape from the net, which greatly helps in the fight to preserve fish stocks.

The local Shetland people are the first in the UK to be given special permission to regulate their own inshore fishery, a pilot project that has proven incredibly successful. The Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation (SSMO) has a delegated authority as part of a Regulatory Order to govern the inshore fishery.

Shetland SeaFish does not only have a concern for the sustainability of the fishery but also the effect fishing has on other marine species. Shetland SeaFish pledges not to buy any fish from boats unless they use fishing methods that will not entrap dolphins and porpoises.

Fresh Fish
The fishing grounds are so close to the islands that boats are only several hours away from their homeport. It is this speed between when fish are caught and landed that ensures fresh fish from Shetland is in prime condition.

Locally caught fish are well iced landed at state of the art markets where the fish are kept in a chilled environment. Shetland SeaFish buyers select out from the market the pick of the catch ensuring all seafood on offer is in peak condition.

All fish when it is caught is fresh, it is the process from catch to the consumer that determines how fresh fish really is. At Shetland SeaFish our aim is to keep this handling process to a minimum so that our seafood is amongst the freshest.

If you are interested in receiving whole fish from us, you can check for yourself. The condition of the eyes must be bright and not sunken, the skin colour must be shiny and moist in appearance and simply the fish must smell fresh. This is the criteria that is used to select the best which your can verify when you buy from Shetland SeaFish.

Shetland SeaFish Processing
Once selected at the market the fish are carefully processed and packed that day for shipment to the UK and can arrive with a customer 48 hours after being landed at the market.

Great care is taken when processing to enable full traceablilty on all seafood items. You can know which boat your fillets have come from and even when and where the fish was caught.

At all stages of the process there are strict guidelines that have been set up by an independent quality control company Shetland Seafood Quality Control (SSQC). From Grading to Fish Handling SSQC enforce a strict code of practise that is applicable from the boat through to the market and onto the processing unit.

Fish is processed five days a week ensuring deliveries of fresh fish every day. Our tailored made personal service is there to ensure you receive the fish you want in the form you need it, whether whole fish or fillets, skin on or skinless Shetland SeaFish is here to meet your requirements.

Fish Benefits
When fish is fresh the flavour and texture is also at it’s best and provides a tasty but perfect healthy meal. The Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy http://www.sacn.gov.uk/ advises that:

“ Two portions of fish should be eaten weekly.”
COMA Report 1994

Fish is an excellent source of food, as it is full of Vitamins A and D and minerals such as Calcium all of which encourage strong bones and teeth and can help promote good eyesight, healthy skin and an effective immune system. It is also believed that fish can help in the fight against cancer as experts suggest that fish oils prevent cancer cells progressing to the tumour stage.

Despite all these major health benefits fish is still a tasty and satisfying way to lose weight, as seafood can be an ideal low calorie meal. Fish is low in saturated fats, as these are associated with animals and not seafood which when eaten regularly scientists have proven will reduce the risk of heart disease.

If you have a requirement for high quality seafood then Shetland SeaFish is here to provide whatever the individual specification.

Your Contact is Robert Nicolson

Tel: 44 (0) 1595 696949 or Fax: 44 (0) 1595 696929

© Shetland Seafish, 2006. All rights reserved.
Registered in Scotland No. 47001