Macduff Shellfish helps fund fisherman's trawler purchase
Forty-two year old Adam McClements from Stornoway is the latest fisherman to benefit from a unique partnership between Macduff Shellfish and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to support the fisheries sector.
Adam, who has been fishing since leaving school at 16, has received support from Macduff Shellfish, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and his local bank to purchase MFV Silver Chord - an under-16.5 metre twin-rig prawn trawler. Leading a crew of three, Adam will be landing and selling his catch locally, supporting local jobs.
This is the latest deal in an established partnership between Macduff Shellfish and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to secure the sustainability of fishing through funding improvements to existing vessels which have been active in local waters for many years. The partnership helps to modernise the currently aging fleet, creating more modern and efficient multi-purpose vessels to increase the number of landings for the local processing sector.
Cllr Angus Campbell, Comhairle Leader, commented:
"The Comhairle has always recognised the importance of the fishing industry to the local economy and welcomes this partnership working with Macduff Shellfish. In the past 10 years, we've invested over £1.5m in the local fleet - in addition to a further £700k through our Community Prawn-quota Scheme. We look forward to continued development of good working relationships with the fisheries sector - and with Macduff Shellfish in particular."
Euan Beaton, chairman of Macduff Shellfish, commented:
"This is a family business and one which has been working from the sea for over 132 years. We know from first-hand experience that fishing never happens in isolation. The journey from the sea to the plate relies on the hard work and expertise of many different people whose livelihoods are critical to the communities they are part of. This intiative is about giving Adam and those like him the best chance of success and the investment is testament to what can be achieved by strong partners with a vested interest."
Adam McClements commented:
"Without the support from the Comhairle's Business Gateway, Macduff Shellfish, the Royal Bank of Scotland and Duncan MacInnes of the Western Isles Fishermen's Association, fishermen like me might not get the opportunity to go it alone."
Commenting on behalf of the Western Isles Fishermen's Association, Duncan MacInnes said;
"WIFA has been actively involved for the last 15 years with the Comhairle and other processors in modernising the fleet and creating an environment which enables fishermen into first time ownership. It's extremely encouraging that Macduff Shellfish now have the vision to develop the fleet in Stornoway and are creating additional catching opportunities for career and business development for fishermen."
31/03/2014 - Macduff, trawler purchase