Macduff Harbour fish landing fees are waived for a year
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Fish landing fees at Macduff Harbour have been waived for a year to help support the local fishing industry.
The move is part of the town’s regeneration strategy and the aim is to help the fleet reduce overheads.
It was introduced on Monday, April 1 and will last until Monday, March 31, 2025.
An Aberdeenshire Harbours spokesman said: “As part of our regeneration strategy for Macduff, we are formally announcing the waiver of all fish landing fees at Macduff Harbour for one year from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025.
“This is to provide stimulus into the Macduff fishing fleet and assist local fishing vessel owners by reducing overheads, in particular the cost of transportation of produce to market.
“Looking forward with our strategy for Macduff Harbour, if sufficient support is gained from fishermen via berthing and fish landing totals during this coming year we will evaluate opportunities to reopen the Macduff fish market with an online digital fish auction to access UK, Euro and World markets directly.
“This will further enhance the experience and reduce overheads for a Macduff fishing fleet by selling direct.
“Via this process the Harbour Authority will recoup some of the lost income from waiving fish landing fees by applying it to fish sales.
“Any vessels permanently berthing in Macduff harbour will also receive an incentive via priority slipping when space and availability allows.
“Macduff continues to run a 24/7 manned service with a three metre depth throughout the outer and middle basins, a re-engineered and working ice plant delivering seven tonnes of flaked ice per day, two recently installed fish chillers, a five tonne forklift for receiving and moving cargo and hire of a fish landing table with four main ship service points for shore power on the south quay.
“Ship design, maintenance and engineering is on site through Macduff Shipyards and other specialist contractors, and our four berth, 350 tonne slipway which has recently been upgraded to allow 10 metre plus beamed vessels.
“For details please contact our area harbour master north, Duncan Mackie, on 07747 020496.”
Meanwhile, Albert Wiseman has recently retired from his post as harbour assistant at Banff Harbour.
Mark Donnelly and Alistair Mackie have taken up the role of harbour assistant and will be working alternative weeks.
