Dingwall seafood business buoyed by community support amid twin challenges of coronavirus and Brexit red tape; Keltic Seafare adapts to crisis with launch of local box scheme
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A BIG-hearted Ross-shire community has thrown a lifeline to a struggling seafood business battling to stay afloat amid the twin challenges of the coronavirus crisis and Brexit red tape.
And Dingwall-based Keltic Seafare boss Alasdair Hughson has thanked the Ross-shire Journal for highlighting the plight of the industry, which is teetering on the brink without a market to sell to.
Last week’s Journal told how fresh seafood from 20 fishing boats was left stranded in the company’s warehouse.
The response from residents was immediate.
Mr Hughson said: “Last Friday I had given everyone the day off as things have been very quiet. As soon as I was in the warehouse, the phone rang. As soon as I put the phone down, it rang again with another order.”
It carried on like that for the whole day with customers old and new reaching out. He was still delivering fish at 9pm.
He said: “We are working with our wholesale partners in Eyemouth to try and find a way forward. Things remain very difficult in the industry.”
Councillor Gordon Adam, who is Highland Council’s spokesman for tourism, said it was vital that as many people as possible bought local at the moment. He said: “I really sympathise with Keltic Seafare’s plight which threatens the future of a business that has been built up over many years. And I would encourage people to take up his offer – support this local business by sampling the Highlands’ matchless seafood.”
Strathpeffer-based Highland MSP Maree Todd, meanwhile, has painted a bleak picture for the future of fishermen and wholesalers.
She said: “I have been inundated with emails from fish and seafood exporters across the Highlands who are now on the brink of collapse.
“I have written to both the minister for the cabinet office, Michael Gove and George Eustice, the secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs in the UK government to communicate the realities of their extreme Brexit deal on my constituents in the Highlands. Had the UK government agreed a six-month grace period with the EU like the Scottish Government pushed for, a smoother transition could have taken place and this situation could have been avoided.
“What we’re seeing now is a once thriving and lucrative industry literally being left out to rot.”
She said: “The UK government has announced that a mere £23 million in compensation for the whole of the UK is forthcoming. To put that in perspective, the Scottish Government delivered £23.5 million to the Scottish sector alone in response to Covid-19 last year.
“The Scottish Government was not consulted on this funding package and is yet to see its full details, but it appears that not all businesses will be covered, such as fishing vessels who land but don’t export directly.
“It is crucial that the prime minister steps up with a substantial compensation package which covers all businesses immediately – right now, we’re seeing no sense of urgency from the UK government in getting financial support into the hands of fish and seafood exporters. The Tories made this Brexit mess and they must fix it.”
Meanwhile due to the demand for local seafood, Mr Hughson is now selling ‘wee fish boxes’ for pick up or delivery throughout the area. These can be purchased by calling 01349 864087 or emailing info@kelticseafare.
Story or pictures to share? Email hector.mackenzie@hnmedia.co.uk, including your own contact details
