And Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond told the special prize-giving of his admiration for the trophy winners making their living in what he described as an almost impossible environment within the constraints of a Common Fisheries Policy, which could only have been dreamed up by the world’s “greatest imbeciles.”

At the function at Fraserburgh Leisure Centre, the Maitland Trophy was presented in the over 18m category to the Valhalla (FR268), skipper Mark Masson, while the MacRae, Stephen and Co trophy, being awarded for the first time for the under 18m category, went to the Excel (BF110), skippered by brothers Derek Watt and John Watt.

Fraserburgh Harbour Commissioners' chairman George Sutherland said that revival of the awards was against the background that following the elimination of the black fish trade, they now had an open transparent and accountable system, which has resulted in significant improvements in prices paid to fishermen from legitimate quotas.

And he said that while the trophies were obviously important to the skippers and crews it was also important for the harbour commissioners to get across the clear message that Fraserburgh, as the largest shellfish port in Europe, continued to encourage fishing vessels to land at the port and use the ever increasing range of facilities the port had to offer.

Mr Salmond said that it was entirely possible to argue against the EU fisheries policy and to understand the essential contradictions within it which have caused so much damage, while also working to improve the position of fishermen.

And praising Scottish fisheries minister Richard Lochhead, he said initiatives taken have brought about a significant transformation in attitudes and the fortunes of the industry in the last nine months.

“What a transformation it is to have a fisheries minister in Scotland who can put forward without fear or favour the rights and responsibility of this industry and its communities.”

John Watt, the father of the Excel prizewinners and vice-chairman of the Scottish White Fish Producers’ Association said a few years ago the industry had gone through a period which many thought, would spell its end. They went through two rounds of decommissioning and the white fish fleet was nearly decimated, Days at sea were introduced quotas were being eroded and Brussels seemed to have an unrelenting desire to destroy the fishing industry.

But it is thanks to the resilience, determination and foresight of the people like the trophy winners that the industry has a future, he underlined.

And what had happened in Brussels at the end of last year was a major change for Scotland. When Scotland got the conservation credits deal, the English industry had laughed and said it was a waste of time. But now Defra was looking at looking at putting the same thing in place.

The Welsh and the Irish were also interested and Scotland had some from Europe coming across to look at the credits scheme and how it is going to be run.

“The main thing we want is to get a better life, an easier life for our fishermen.We have an opportunity this year to let Europe see we are responsible. We want an industry, we want a future and we have the chance. Let’s show them.”

The Maitland Trophy comes from a family who operate a long-established Fraserburgh retail business and who have for many years actively supported the fishing industry.

The MacRae, Stephen and Co trophy replaces the former Fraserburgh Town Council Trophy and was presented by the secretaries of the Scottish White Fish Producers’ Association who are based in the town.

www.fishupdate.com is published by Special Publications. Special Publications also publish FISHupdate magazine, Fish Farmer, the Fish Industry Yearbook, the Scottish Seafood Processors Federation Diary, the Fish Farmer Handbook and a range of wallplanners.

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