Pelagic fleet shows that big can be beautiful

Pelagic fleet shows that big can be beautiful

There is a school of thought among some environmentalists that when it comes to fishing, big is bad and small is good. Much more sustainable, they argue, to have small-scale artisanal fishers working our fishing grounds as opposed to large trawlers. A simplistic...
Herring survey takes a starring role on BBC Landward

Herring survey takes a starring role on BBC Landward

BBC Landward will be featuring the innovative work of a multi-partner scientific survey to assess the status and composition of herring stocks to the West of Scotland. The Landward programme will be aired on Friday 6 October at 7.30pm on BBC Scotland. The survey led...
A wonderful and sustainable resource right on our doorstep

A wonderful and sustainable resource right on our doorstep

The importance of the humble herring to Scottish society and its cultural and economic development is immense, with there being evidence of herring fisheries in Scotland from Medieval times onwards. According to James Coull in his book “The Sea Fisheries of Scotland”,...
Herrings in crispy oatmeal with mustard sauce

Herrings in crispy oatmeal with mustard sauce

Ingredients serves 4 4 herrings, filleted 60 ml (4 tbsp) milk 15 g (1 tbsp) seasoned flour 1 egg, beaten 50 g (2 oz) coarse oatmeal oil for frying lemon wedges Mustard Sauce Method Four herring fillets Steep the herring in the milk for about half an hour, drain and...
Time to put the ‘silver darlings’ back on the menu

Time to put the ‘silver darlings’ back on the menu

With delicious new season North Sea herring (silver darlings) now appearing in supermarkets and fishmongers, it is worth reflecting on what an important fish this is to Scotland and why we should all be eating more of it. Indeed, it would be no exaggeration to say...