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A business deal has been reached between Brae-based seafood company Blueshell Mussels and fellow operators Demlane and Si Seafarms Ltd. The move is being seen as a major step in protecting and developing Shetland’s mussel farming industry.

As part of the agreement Blueshell will acquire Demlane’s sea service assets – such as workboats and equipment – as well as the current Demlane sea crew.

That should allow Demlane to concentrate on its newly extended processing factory in Walls, and create a platform from which to launch a new seafood range of products.

Meanwhile Blueshell has also signed an agreement to manage the 15 Shetland mussel sites held by Si Seafarms, which was previously run by Demlane.

Managing director of Blueshell Mussels Michael Laurenson said: “As our core business strength and expertise is in mussel production and primary mussel processing, I believe it makes sense for us to concentrate on this, and in so doing can bring growth, economic benefit and efficiency through this development.”

Chairman of Si Seafarms David Fell said: “We look forward to working closely with Blueshell Mussels Limited to continue to develop a European class mussel growing industry based in Shetland.”

Chairman and managing director of Demlane Malcolm Parkinson added: “This agreement allows each of the companies concerned to play to their strengths, creating economies of scale, efficiencies in processing and adding value throughout the supply chain, bringing new and exciting products to the UK and EU market place.”

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Shetland’s seafood suppliers have received a glowing review this week from two top members of staff at Jamie Oliver’s Restaurant Fifteen in London.

Executive chef Andrew Parkinson and head of buying Tony Welch arrived in the islands on Monday to visit some of the suppliers and to find out more about where their ingredients come from.

The trip was organised by Alasdair MacPherson of Shetland’s Finest, together with Promote Shetland. Mr MacPherson said: “The first stop on our itinerary was a visit to Blueshell Mussels to see, first hand, the environment in which Shetland mussels thrive. From there, we went fishing out of Muckle Roe on the white fish boat, Viora, to haul some creels and land some line-caught mackerel, cod and haddock.

“We also took a tour of Lerwick fish market so that Andrew and Tony could see for themselves the range and quality of fish landed in Shetland. Sourcing seafood from a sustainable resource and MSC [Marine Stewardship Council] certification is a top priority for Restaurant Fifteen and we were able to demonstrate the fisheries in Shetland that are already part of the programme and those that are working towards certification.

“The close proximity of our markets to the fishing grounds means frequent landings of high quality fish at its freshest and this is a factor that is particularly important to the restaurant.”
Executive chef Parkinson agreed that the visit had been a huge success: “From our trip to Blueshell Mussels where Michael Laurenson fascinated us with his information and product, to the visit to Lerwick Fish Market, we’ve had an amazing visit.

“The prospect of Shetland’s Finest gaining accreditation from MSC is very exciting as we at Fifteen are already signed up, therefore we will be able to highlight this on the menu.

“As a first time visitor to Shetland, I’m very impressed with the sights we’ve seen. Alasdair’s knowledge of the product is second to none and he leaves me no choice but to continue to purchase even more produce from Shetland for use on our menus at Fifteen Restaurant London.”

Increased tonnage was thanks to cruise ships and oil industry support vessels, with numbers of fishing-related craft and yachts also up.

Harbourmaster Calum Grains was delighted that a million tonnes of shipping had been piloted safely during the course of last month. He said: “It’s the first time for a long time if ever [this has happened]. It’s fantastic for the port to be able to pilot that tonnage of vessels in one month, I hope we’re able to do it again.”

Any vessel can request a pilot, but it is compulsory for vessels over a certain tonnage to have a pilot into and out of the harbour approaches.

Meanwhile, over a longer timeframe, activity at Lerwick Harbour ended the first half of the year on a positive note with more yachts, more fishing vessels and a greater tonnage of cruise ships visiting than in the same period last year.

Cargo traffic showed signs of recovering and oil-related shipping last month had the biggest increase since December 2008.

Despite a general decrease in oil-related activity during January-June, especially in supply boat visits, down from 111 last year to 55, this year, both figures for the first six months of the year, overall traffic was up on the same period in 2009.

Figures for the January-June period showed a total of 2,765 arrivals, a rise of 0.8 per cent, with a tonnage increase of 7.3 per cent at 4.3 million gross tonnes.

There was a 14 per cent increase in pilotage movements to 486, with the gross tonnage of vessels piloted rising 60 per cent to 2,826,588 gross tonnes, mainly due to larger vessels using the port.

Activity levels earlier in the year meant that cargo for the six months showed a 1.9 per cent decrease, at 379,170 tonnes.

There was a 19 per cent increase in passengers to 66,546, with ferry passengers on the scheduled services to the Scottish mainland and Orkney up by 8 per cent to 56,723 and the cruise season, which started in May and continued to build through June, bringing 9,823 passengers so far, a rise of 164 per cent.

Deputy chief executive of Lerwick Port Authority Victor Sandison said: “The grounds for cautious optimism seen in the first quarter strengthened by mid-year, with further signs of a gradual recovery in activity. Cruise ships are expected to deliver a record season and there were indications of an upturn in key sectors such as cargo and oil-related traffic.

“Fish landings, however, continue to decrease, with problems being encountered due to the limited number of days at sea available to the white fish fleet. The increased average price for white fish is not able to counteract the drop in volume.”

Fish landings totalled 32,508 tonnes, valued at £26.2 million, down 13 per cent on volume and 21 per cent on value.

The 5,028 tonnes of white fish landed were valued at £8 million, a drop of 13 per cent on volume and 9 per cent on value. The price per tonne increased 5 per cent to average £1,592 per tonne. In the pelagic sector, winter mackerel landings were down in volume and value, with remaining tonnage to be taken in the autumn fishery. There were landings of blue whiting to Shetland Catch for human consumption and a limited quantity landed at Heogan, Bressay, for fishmeal during the first quarter of the year.

The Norwegian vessel, Epoksy, which had two people on board, got into difficulty on Thursday night at around 8pm. Lerwick lifeboat was scrambled in the early hours to assist when an offshore supply vessel which had been towing it lost its connection and could not get the line back aboard.

Epoksy only had fuel for up to 12 hours and when the tow rope to the supply vessel broke it was unable to start its engine again.

A coastguard spokesman said the yacht was around 100 miles south-east of Lerwick at the time, much further out to sea than is the norm for a lifeboat callout. She reached Lerwick shortly after 3pm.

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Strong winds almost forced one of Britain’s biggest fishing vessels, with a crew of 36 on board, aground near Collafirth last night.

The Hull-registered Atlantic Princess, a 92m freezer trawler, lost engine power in a force six and came within 20ft of the rocks near the pier. She was able to hold her position with her anchor before the Sullom Voe tug Shalder arrived to tow her to safety without damage.

The coastguard was first alerted to the drama by Sullom Voe Terminal’s vessel traffic system (VTS) at 7.32pm.

An engineer was able to repair the engines and the ship was able to continue on her journey.

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Fears that Whalsay will be reduced to a one-ferry operation because the Hendra has to be scrapped have been allayed by Shetland Islands Council.

Last week’s decision by councillors to ditch plans to build a new super-ferry to replace the Hendra prompted fears that the Marine Coastguard Agency might force the 28-year-old ferry to be removed on safety grounds, causing chaos on a route where two ferries are currently struggling to cope with traffic.

EU rules from 1998 require new ferries to have their passenger saloons above the car deck. Older ferries with saloons below deck, including the Hendra, Geira and Fivla in Shetland, were allowed to continue for a limited number of years before being replaced or rebuilt.

The council decided its affected ferries had to be replaced to bring them up to the standard of newer craft, such as the other Whalsay ferry Linga.

But with no replacement now in the pipeline for the Hendra, a former Whalsay ferry skipper Peter Walker Anderson and others warned that the MCA might order her out of service.

Mr Anderson said: “Now that the ferry replacement programme has been abandoned, and if no money can be found soon for the fixed links, will the MCA still allow this ageing boat to operate here? Whalsay is considered an open sea crossing in the eyes of the MCA and because of this comes under tighter scrutiny than other ro-ro ferry services in Shetland.

“Whalsay residents, and possibly those in the North Isles, may suddenly find themselves a lot worse off than they are at present. All it would take is for a box not to be ticked at the MCA HQ then the vessels will be obsolete.”

However, it emerged this week that pressure was successfully brought to bear on the MCA some time ago to relax its rules due to the large number of UK ferries facing the scrapheap.

The rules were changed with EU permission in December 2006 with the result that the old style SIC ferry no longer had to be rebuilt or removed by the deadline of 1st July 2009 or, in the case of the slightly newer Bigga, in 2010. The ferries are not be allowed to be used in other EU countries.

Council marine superintendent Colin Reeves said the merchant shipping notice MGN 1811 had “changed the originally accepted belief that the Hendra class vessels require to be taken out of use”. He concluded that Mr Anderson’s concerns for the Whalsay service, while correctly stating the original problem, were “no longer valid”.

Last week the Full Council threw out plans to spend £26.2 million building sturdier terminals and a 31-car super-ferry for Whalsay. Instead it decided to hold off for a number of years to see if outside funding for tunnels becomes available as UK and EU economic fortunes recover.

At a meeting of the planning board, members approved plans to redevelop the pier area, with the construction of a new length of pier, a breakwater, and a ferry terminal and waiting room for people travelling to Foula.

The pier, which dates back 100 years, has long been in need of renovation. The first plans were developed around seven years ago, when an independent survey confirmed that the existing pier was failing.

A follow up survey warned that deterioration of the top of the pier was continuing and that a load restriction may have to be put on to the structure within a year to 18 months, meaning it would be open to pedestrians only.

Marine site investigations began last year and funding has been secured from the council’s capital programme as well as from underspend from the Uyeasound pier. The estimated cost of construction is £3,350,000.

As the councillor for the West Side, Frank Robertson declared an interest and the item was chaired by councillor Iris Hawkins.

Councillor Cecil Smith raised concerns about the provision of facilities for transporting livestock, and also asked for clarification as to exactly which days construction would not be carried out.

Although no definitive answers could be given, Mr Smith moved that the proposal should go ahead. He was seconded by Caroline Miller.

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A man with isles origins was today elected president of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) at a meeting of its executive committee, held at the Shetland Museum.

Alan Coghill from takes over from Ian Gatt, who has held the post since 2007 and who decided to step down following his recent appointment as chief executive of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association.

Mr Coghill left Shetland in the 1970s and moved to Orkney, where he has been heavily involved in the fishing industry as secretary of the Orkney Fisheries Association, as well as running a shellfish business.

He said: “I’m delighted to have been elected as president of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation and pledge to do everything in my power to ensure that all sectors of our important industry gets a fair deal in this increasingly difficult time for fishing.

“There are many challenges ahead, including threats from Iceland and the Faroes to increase their mackerel quotas, and the continuing difficulties for the whitefish and prawn sectors in terms of effort control and other restrictions. These are all issues that must be resolved to ensure that fishing has a sustainable and profitable future.”

The new president said that being from Shetland, he was looking forward to representing the views of local fishermen from both Northern Isles groups.

Mr Coghill said: “I’m looking forward to the challenge. It’s a very difficult time for the fishing industry and we’re going to have to work very hard and work together with the rest of the industry.”

SFF chief executive Bertie Armstrong said: “Alan has proved an excellent representative for the fishing industry and his appointment as president will ensure that the interests of all fishermen will continue to be well served.

“I would also like to pay tribute to Ian Gatt who has been a superb president for the federation and who has won plaudits from throughout the industry for his hard work in promoting its interests.

“Ian was always acutely aware of the importance of serving the needs of every sector of the industry and this was much appreciated by all fishermen.”

Coastguard teams were called to assist after the yachts, competing in the Round Britain and Ireland Race and the Shetland-Bergen contest, were buffeted by a strengthening northerly.

A 999 call was made by one of the skippers shortly after 6am, claiming his vessel had sustained damage.

The small lifeboat, or Y-boat attached to the back of the lifeboat, was sent out to help move the vessels to a more sheltered spot in the small-boat harbour. The damage, suffered by a number of the Class 40 yachts, was later described as superficial.

Around 90 yachts are expected to arrive in Lerwick this weekend, as competitors in the two races berth at the harbour. Presentations will be made to the stage winners of both competitions at a reception at 5.30pm today in the Flavour of Shetland entertainment marquee on Victoria Pier.

• Meanwhile, Shetland Coastguard was summoned late last night after a report that an object, possibly a body, had been seen floating in the water off St Ninian’s Isle.

A peroson had phoned the police on 999 at 11.30pm to report the sighting. Coastguards from Sumburgh and a coastal rescue team from Noness, Sandwick, took up the search, and the Sumburgh-based helicopter was scrambled.

Around an hour later the object was found and identified as a dead sheep.

Antares skipper Laurence Irvine, 64, of Whalsay, appeared with Re­search skippers Gary Williamson, 50, and William Williamson, 63, before Sheriff Graeme Napier on Wednesday.

Also in the dock were co-owner of the Whalsay boat Adenia, George Henry, 58, of Bixter, Antarctic skip­per John Stewart, 55, and crewman Colin Leask, 37, of Whalsay.

The skipper of the Fraserburgh boat Kings Cross, Alexander Mas­son, 64, of Fraserburgh also appeared.

All seven appeared on charges of fraud and none of the men made any pleas or declarations. They were committed for further examination before being released on bail.

Their appearance brings to 17 the number of men facing charges in connection with fraudulent landings at the massive processing plant.

In January the company’s manag­ing director, Simon Leiper, of South Whiteness, appeared alongside his predecessor Derek Leask of Weis­dale. Both were charged with fraud and defeating the ends of justice.

Charisma skipper David Hutchi­son, Zephyr skippers John Irvine and Allister Irvine, and skipper of the Fraserburgh-registered Enter­prise, Victor Buschini, were charged with fraud. Mr Buschini was also charged with attempted fraud.

Within two weeks another four men had appeared – Whalsay fisher­men Bobby Polson, Thomas Eunson and Allen Anderson, who all work on board the trawler Serene, were also charged with being involved in the alleged landings. Enterprise co-skipper Hamish Slater also appeared.

The extent of the investigation was sparked following a police raid at the premises in 2005. The charges mean seven of the eight boats in the Shetland pelagic fleet have become embroiled in the investigation – with the Altaire the only boat not coming under scrutiny.