Seafood is far more important to Shetland than either North Sea oil or tourism – and a trade body intends to make more people aware of the fact.
Shetland’s seafood industry, including the aquaculture and processing sectors, is said to be worth £300million a year.
It employs about 1,000 people directly and hundreds of others in, for example, fish processing, marketing, transport, supply and engineering.
The total economic value is more than the figures for oil and gas, agriculture, tourism and the creative industries combined, according to figures from Shetland Islands Council.
Trade body Seafood Shetland is launching a marketing drive to build awareness of the social and economic impact of seafood on the local economy.
So Much to Sea aims to improve people’s understanding of what the industry means to Shetland through a series of community events built around an exhibition, a new film and wider promotions.
The programme gets under way in Bigton Hall on Saturday. So Much to Sea then visits Burra on February 22, Walls on March 1, Vidlin on March 8, Cullivoe on March 21 and Symbister on March 29.
Seafood tastings and music will also feature in the project, while schools throughout the isles have been invited to get involved through, for example, creative arts, home economics, history or science-related activities.
Pupils’ work will be exhibited at Shetland Museum and Archives in June as part of a wider celebration of Shetland seafood, timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of local processor Shetland Catch.
Seafood Shetland chief executive Ruth Henderson said: “The long and extraordinary story of Shetland’s seafood industry and the massive impact it has had and continues to have on our way of life is a story that deserves to be well told and passed on to new generations.
“This is a thriving and hugely significant industry which has a wonderful future, so we are delighted to be increasing people’s awareness through So Much to Sea.”
The £74,000 project has been 74% funded through the European Union’s Axis 4 programme, with the remainder coming from Seafood Shetland, Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation, Shetland Fish Producers’ Organisation, Shetland Aquaculture Trust and the Hunter and Morrison Trust.