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WHITBY Fish Market has been running well since a new operator moved in recently, saving the facility from closure, the harbour board has said.
Whitby Fish Sales Ltd has recently signed a two year licence with the council, which it is hoped will give a level of confidence to the local fishermen and community in the fight against fishing industry decline.
The harbour board and the council say they have have been committed to finding a new operator since the announcement made by Alliance Fish Whitby Limited earlier this year that it was scaling down many of its operations in the town. They were also committed to supporting the fishing community by continuing to provide the necessary facilities and infrastructure at a critical time.
Ian Vasey, Scarborough Borough Council's Acting Harbour Master told Fishupdate: "The new operation has been going very well. We are getting a lot of salmon and trout from local vessels fishing offshore and, of course, the shellfish industry is booming."
The one downside is that most of the larger white fish trawlers have moved away - hopefully only temporarily - to other ports like North Shields, to save fuel costs.
Cllr Mike Cockerill, Chair of Whitby Harbour Board said recently: ""Whitby Harbour Board is committed to securing the future viability of the fishing industry. Fishing forms an essential part of the tradition and heritage of the harbour, the wider community and the town itself, and the board will do all in its power to see this is retained. However, it is essential that all local and visiting fishermen continue to make use of the facilities provided at Whitby harbour to ensure its future success.
Shaun Wood, Whitby Fish Sales Ltd's Company Director said: "As a local fish merchant, Whitby harbour and the fish market have played an important part in the success of my business and I have built up excellent relationships with local fishermen.
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