One such company is Aberdeenshire based Scotnet Recycling, which has found a significant gap in the market for the recycling of old fishing nets that saves fishermen money by taking away the need to discard old gear into expensive and environmentally unfriendly landfill.

The idea for the business is the brainchild of Tina Lee, which came about after her husband Shane brought some old netting home. She quickly realised that old netting and associated equipment such as rubber rockhopper gear had excellent potential for recycling, given the nature of the materials they are made from.

This resulted in her setting up Scotnet Recycling, which is a free service that takes old netting and other gear such as wooden wire reels from fishermen. The company then finds outlets and markets for the material for recycling.

For example, the material in the rockhopper equipment can be utilised to manufacture granulated rubber chips that are used in protective cushioned areas of children’s playgrounds.

Speaking at Fishing 2010, Tina Lee said: “The response we have had from fishermen and ports has been overwhelming. About 90 per cent of a fishing net can be recycled, which makes great environmental sense as none of this material is biodegradable. It also saves fishermen from having to pay to discard such equipment.”

Other highlights on the first day of the exhibition include the start of the ‘Fisherman of the Year’ competition with prizes worth at least £5,000 on offer in a three-day event to seek out the UK’s most experienced and proficient fisherman. The tough competition aims to find the UK’s top commercial fisherman through a series of challenges against the clock that will test their skills and practical knowledge.

Meanwhile, a comprehensive seminar programme has been lined up for tomorrow (Friday 21 May), including an address by Scottish fisheries minister Richard Lochhead, followed by a tour of the stands. There will also be fishing vessels on display and fish cookery demonstrations.

On Saturday (22 May) there will be a showing of he controversial fisheries film End of the Line, followed by a debate that will include its maker, the environmental journalist Charles Clover. Also participating in the discussion session before fishermen will be a panel comprising Bertie Armstrong of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, Louize Hill of WWF Scotland, Phil MacMullen of the Seafish Industry Authority and Prof Callum Roberts of York University.

Fishing 2010 is being held at the SECC in Glasgow from 20-22 May. More information at www.fishingexpo.co.uk

Media enquiries:

Keith Broomfield

Catch PR Ltd

Tel: 07890 781151

Katy Walker

QD Events Ltd

Tel: 0141 576 3878

Despite the difficult economic climate – and in particular the problems facing the fishing sector – there will be 105 exhibitors at the 2010 exhibition compared with 83 last year, a 26% increase.

Fran McIntyre managing director of QD Events, the new organiser of the exhibition, said the surge in exhibitors was excellent news and underlined the underlying strength and resilience of the industry.

“This is excellent news and will ensure that Fishing 2010 will be a leading showcase event for the fishing industry,” she said.

“I know many fishermen are enduring a particularly difficult year because of tight quotas and other restrictive fisheries management measures, but I hope as many fishermen as possible from the UK, Ireland and further afield visit Fishing 2010 as it will be an informative and exciting event.”

Highlights include the first ever ‘Fisherman of the Year’ competition with prizes worth at least £5,000 on offer in a three-day event to seek out the UK’s most experienced and proficient fisherman. The tough competition aims to find the UK’s top commercial fisherman through a series of challenges against the clock that will test their skills and practical knowledge. Fishermen can register their interest in entering the competition at the competition website, www.foty2010.com

A comprehensive seminar programme has also been lined up including an address by Scottish fisheries minister Richard Lochhead and a showing of he controversial fisheries film End of the Line, followed by a debate that will include it maker, the environmental journalist Charles Clover.

There will also be fishing vessels on display, fish cookery demonstrations and a seminar programme the focuses on a range of topical issues, including the marketing of seafood.

Fishing 2010 will be held at the SECC in Glasgow from 20-22 May. More information at www.fishingexpo.co.uk

Ends

Media enquiries:

Keith Broomfield

Catch PR Ltd

Tel: 07890 781151

Katy Walker

QD Events Ltd

Tel: 0141 576 3878

\'John has also created a special Seafood Menu for the occasion comprising three delicious courses for just £25 which will run throughout the week.  Main courses on the A la Carte Menu consist of everything from the finest lamb, beef and fish to vegetarian and poultry dishes.

\'Red Onion is an award winning contemporary City Centre casual dining experience known for fresh Scottish produce.  Open 7 days a week serving food all day from 11am, John runs it together with his wife Gillian.  Since opening in 2005 Red Onion has played host to countless celebrities from George Clooney, Michael Palin and the First Minister of Scotland to the Kaiser Chiefs, Katy Perry and Michael Buble.

\'Renowned for his Shellfish Spaghetti among other creations, Owner/Patron John Quigley started his career in London’s West End where he quickly established himself and gained a reputation for excellent casual gourmet dining.  He then took the opportunity to travel the world as a private chef to many rock stars and celebrities such as Bryan Adams, Tina Turner and Guns n Roses.

\'Call 0141 221 6000 or log on to www.red-onion.co.uk to make a reservation.  Please bring your EXPO credentials to claim your discount.

 
  Menu

Hot and sour seafood broth.

Seared scallops with chorizo, rocket and lemon salad.

King prawn and vegetable tempura with ponzu dipping sauce.

Grilled asparagus with a soft poached egg and garlic butter on toast.

……………………………….

Roast shellfish spaghetti with lobster, mussels, king prawns, scallops

and lemon, garlic and parsley.

Finnan haddie with champ potatoes, poached egg and Mornay sauce.

Grilled seabass with phad Thai noodles and sweet chilli mango salsa.

Chargrilled Caledonian Crown rib-eye steak with fresh cut chips and pepper sauce.

……………………………

Hot chocolate brownie and ice-cream.

Lemon curd cheesecake with fresh strawberries.

Crème brulée.

Selection of cheese and biscuits.

3 x courses @ £25p/p

Environmental journalist and author Charles Clover will outline to fishermen at a breakfast seminar event at the Fishing 2010 commercial fisheries exhibition in Glasgow of the need for urgent action to conserve fish stocks.

In what promises to be a lively event, the seminar will include a showing of Mr Clover’s controversial film End of the Line, which portrays many of the world’s fish stocks as being in a parlous state. After the showing there will be a discussion session hosted by a panel comprising Mr Clover, Bertie Armstrong of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, Louize Hill of WWF Scotland and Prof Callum Roberts of York University.

Mr Clover said: “When they sit down to eat fish in a smart restaurant or just turn on the grill at home, people now want reassurance that their fish is from sustainable sources. 

“I think fishermen who can demonstrate that, transparently, will have a great future, whereas those who cannot will get squeezed.  I am confident that British fishermen are well ahead of the curve in making that change.”

Fran McIntyre of QD Events, the organiser of Fishing 2010, said: “Great credit has to be given to Charles Clover for his decision to attend this seminar at Fishing 2010. I am confident that fishermen will welcome the opportunity to engage in lively debate on the vitally important issue of fisheries conservation.”

Fishing 2010 will be held at the SECC in Glasgow. It is the UK’s only annual commercial fishing exhibition and attracts visitors and exhibitors from around the world. The event will be staged at the SECC in Glasgow from 20-22 May, with the breakfast seminar event held on Saturday 22 May.

More information at www.fishingexpo.co.uk

Notes to editors

Fishing 2010 is the UK’s only annual commercial fishing exhibition and attracts visitors and exhibitors from around the world.

Media enquiries:

Keith Broomfield

Catch PR Ltd

Tel: 07890 781151

Katy Walker

QD Events Ltd

The idea behind the innovative new marine computers came about when company director Linda Graham was sailing around the UK coastline using her laptop for navigation. The experience led her to the conclusion that Infotology could produce more reliable marine computer systems.

Over the past three years, the company carefully researched components and designs and are now producing computers, which have a MTBF (mean time before failure) well in excess of the expected life of the system and which require no moving parts.

Linda Graham said: “We are now ready to bring to the market a range of computers designed for optimum performance and reliability for marine applications including navigation, CCTV and communications which we shall be launching at the Fishing 2010 Exhibition in Glasgow.

“Infotology specialise in providing efficient and effective IT services, tailor-made to the requirements of small businesses, leaving them to focus on what they do best, secure in the knowledge that their IT systems will do what they need to do, when they need to do it.

“Our Carefree Computing support services are aimed at SMEs for whom the reliability of their IT system is critical to their business and offers the appropriate level of security to match their business needs. Our experience in providing reliable fault tolerant systems has gone into designing our small footprint, energy efficient, ultra reliable marine computer systems.”

The tough competition aims to find the UK’s top commercial fisherman through a series of challenges against the clock that will test their skills and practical knowledge.

As well as a substantial cash prize of £1,000 along with fishing equipment and clothing, the winner will also be awarded with an all expenses paid trip to the Faroe Islands in August to participate in the world net-mending championships.

Organised by Inverurie based global crew information services provider, Crew2Crew, in association with the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen, the ‘Fisherman of the Year’ competition will be one of the major highlights of Fishing 2010, with as many fishermen as possible being encouraged to register their interest in participating through the specially created competition website, www.foty2010.com

The format will involve heats on each morning of the exhibition, with semi finals on the Thursday and Friday afternoons and the final on the Saturday afternoon (22 May). During the heats fishermen will face a variety of trials against the clock, including net mending and splicing skills, a hydrostatic liferaft release competition, a knowledge test, and a speed trial for donning an immersion suit and lifejacket.

The top five fishermen from each heat will then go forward to the semi-finals that will involve a similar series of gruelling tests, with the first and second placed contestants winning a place in Saturday’s final. The winner and the runners ups will be in line to win a number of prizes – including clothing and safety equipment - with an equivalent cash value of at least £6,500, although this figure could rise to as much as £10,000 as more sponsors come on board.

Graham Duncan, managing director of Crew2Crew, said: “We are delighted to have been able to organise this competition in association with the Fishermen’s Mission. This will be a real test of skill and knowledge under the pressure of the clock and the winner really will be deserving of the title of ‘Fisherman of the Year’. 

“We wanted to organise something a little bit different for the exhibition that would prove a magnet for fishermen to attend. We envisage that the competition will create friendly rivalry between fishermen from different areas of the UK and the various fishing sectors.”

Sharon Kane of the Fishermen’s Mission said: “We are delighted to be associated with this competition. There are a whole range of difficult skills and knowledge that a commercial fisherman needs to acquire and this competition will provide a superb showcase of the unique talent within the fishing industry.”

Fran McIntyre, managing director of QD Events, the organiser of Fishing 2010, said: “We believe there will be a huge amount of interest in this competition and we encourage fishermen to register their interest in participating as early as possible.”

Fishing 2010 will be held at the SECC in Glasgow from 20-22 May. More information at www.fishingexpo.co.uk

Notes to editors

Fishing 2010 is the UK’s only annual commercial fishing exhibition and attracts visitors and exhibitors from around the world.

Crew 2 Crew is a unique global communications platform that brings together Fishermen and the Commercial Fishing industry through a professional network of online information and communication services. Designed for narrow bandwidth, satellite and mobile access, it connects crew, welfare, industry and government organisations in an online Commercial Fishing Community. More information at www.crew2crew.com

The Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen is a charity registered in England and Wales: No. 232822 and in Scotland: No. SCO39088. More information at www.fishermensmission.org.uk

Media enquiries:

Keith Broomfield

Catch PR Ltd

Tel: 07890 781151

Katy Walker

QD Events Ltd

Tel: 0141 576 3878

Bridon has built an enviable reputation as a leading manufacturer of quality steel wire rope for the beam trawl, pelagic, purse seine and demersal fleets. Its high standing stems from its ability to provide a range of high quality wire and rope products that rely on continuous innovation, quality assurance and technical expertise.

Simon Dixon, market sector manager for fishing, says: “We are looking forward to meeting many of our existing customers at Fishing 2010 and also introduce our product range to potential new customers.

“We will be delighted to welcome visitors to our stand.”

Bridon will be on stand C1

More information, www.bridon.com

15% off the complete range of diesel engines from Volvo, Yanmar and John Deere. 
With power outputs of up to 750bhp, you wont be left behind with a value choice!

Make your way to stand A9 to take up on this Show only offer.

Local companies exhibiting under the ‘Shetland’ banner will be highlighting the strategic location of the islands close to key fishing grounds, making it a logical option for fishing vessels looking for a quick turnaround.

Kevin Moreland, marketing officer for Shetland Islands Council, said: “With the tight restrictions on days-at-sea and spiralling fuel costs, we feel it makes economic sense to land in Shetland rather than steam to mainland ports.

“We have an excellent infrastructure here to support fishing vessels and the prices achieved at the fish markets in Lerwick and Scalloway are comparable, or sometimes even higher, than those on the mainland.

“We have been running our ‘Land in Shetland’ campaign for several years now and Fishing 2010 presents an excellent opportunity to remind skippers of the advantages of landing in Shetland.”

QD Events, the new organisers of Fishing 2010, says that uptake for the show has been excellent with over 90 per cent of stand space now taken up.

Highlights include the discussion sessions and seminars in a theatre sponsored by the Seafish Industry Authority. The events lined up will include an address from Scottish Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead, and an update on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy by a leading EC fisheries official.

Marketing will be another key theme and will include a seminar on what multiple retail buyers are looking for and the challenges they face when buying fish. Another seminar will look at the most efficient ways of getting the fish catch to the plates of consumers.

Fran McIntyre, managing director of QD Events, said: “We have been really encouraged by the level of interest in Fishing 2010 and despite these difficult economic times we are detecting an underlying optimism in the industry, which can only bode well for the future.”

Fishing 2010 will be held at the SECC in Glasgow from 20-22 May. More information at www.fishingexpo.co.uk

Media enquiries:

Keith Broomfield

Catch PR Ltd

Tel: 07890 781151

Katy Walker

QD Events Ltd

Tel: 0141 576 3878

Organisers QD Events consulted closely with the fishing industry on the type of content fishermen would like to see at an exhibition of this kind. Using this feedback, they have put together a format that they believe will reinvigorate one of northern Europe’s most successful commercial fisheries exhibitions.

This exciting new content combined with a special push to provide discounted accommodation for visitors is likely to make it the busiest for years, say QD Events.

Fran McIntyre, managing director, said: “This exhibition is for the fishing industry, so it made sense to have their input into deciding its content and features.”

One of the main highlights will be the discussion sessions and seminars in a theatre sponsored by the Seafish Industry Authority. The events lined up will include an address from Scottish Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead, and an update on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy by a leading EC fisheries official.

There will also be a breakfast showing of the controversial film End of the Line followed by a panel discussion that will include its maker, environmentalist Charles Clover, and Bertie Armstrong of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation and Louize Hill of WWF Scotland. This will be followed by a discussion session on politics and fishing, and whether there is any common ground between the two.

Marketing will be another key theme and will include a seminar on what multiple retail buyers are looking for and the challenges they face when buying fish. Another seminar will look at the most efficient ways of getting the fish catch to the plates of consumers.

Other key attractions include inspiring cooking demonstrations from some of Scotland’s top chefs and a daily net mending competition run by the Fishermen’s Mission. The Fishing Show Bar will prove a relaxed and informal environment within the show to meet suppliers and catch up with colleagues and friends.

The organisers are especially keen to make visiting the exhibition as affordable as possible for visitors and have managed to negotiate a range of special hotel packages starting at only £40pp/pn.

Fishing 2010 will be held at the SECC in Glasgow. It is the UK’s only annual commercial fishing exhibition and attracts visitors and exhibitors from around the world.

More information at www.fishingexpo.co.uk

 Based at Dunkineely near Killybegs in Donegal, KT Nets has been a regular exhibitor at Fishing 2010 ever since the company started business seven years ago.

According to managing director Danny Gallagher, the exhibition has proved an excellent means of targeting its range of trawls into the pelagic heartlands of north-east Scotland and Shetland.

“We are pleased to be able to confirm our attendance for the 2010 show as it has always proved a very useful event for us and is an excellent way to meet our customers,” he said.

“At last year’s exhibition we also received a good level of interest from visitors from Norway, Denmark, Holland, Iceland and America.”

QD Events, the new owners of exhibition, have consulted closely with the fishing industry on the format of this year’s show, which has resulted in the introduction of a number of new events.

These include a daily net making competition run by the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen, while the Marine Accident Investigation Branch will be asking visitors to try and pull a man out of a water tank to highlight the difficulties in retrieving a man overboard.

A major attraction will be the comprehensive three-day seminar session, which will include a breakfast showing of the controversial film End of the Line followed by a panel discussion that will involve its maker, environmentalist Charles Clover, Bertie Armstrong of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, and Louise Hill of WWF Scotland. There will also be an address from Scottish Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead, an update on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, and presentations on the marketing of seafood.

Other highlights include cooking demonstrations from some of Scotland’s top chefs and a special fundraising dinner dance for the Fishermen’s Mission that will be staged at the Marriott Hotel on Friday 21 May.

Fishing 2010 will be held at the SECC in Glasgow from 20-22 May. More information at www.fishingexpo.co.uk

Ends

Notes to editors

Fishing 2010 will be held at the SECC in Glasgow from 20-22 May. It is the UK’s only annual commercial fishing exhibition and attracts visitors and exhibitors from around the world.

Media enquiries:

Keith Broomfield

Catch PR Ltd

Tel: 07890 781151

Katy Walker

QD Events Ltd

Tel: 0141 576 3878

Following excellent sales growth during its first year of trading, Peterhead based boat builder Anderson Marine is the latest company to confirm that it will be attending the Fishing 2010 exhibition in Glasgow.

The company, which was only set up in February 2009, made its first appearance at the Glasgow show last spring, attracting a strong level of interest from fishermen.

Chris Anderson, managing director of Anderson Marine, said: “We were a very new company when we exhibited at last year’s show and it proved an excellent way of introducing ourselves to the fishing industry.

“We had a huge amount of interest in the Cygnus hulls we were exhibiting, which led to several orders in the weeks and months afterwards.”

For the 2010 exhibition, Anderson Marine will be showing of a fully fitted Kingfisher craft, including wheelhouse, whaleback and engine. Both the Kingfisher and Cygnus models are ideal for creeling, netting and lining in inshore waters.

“As well as from Scotland and the rest of the UK, we are currently enjoying a strong level of interest in our boats from throughout northern Europe, particularly Sweden and Norway,” said Mr Anderson.

“Fishing 2010 in Glasgow will provide an ideal opportunity for us to promote our range of inshore fishing craft to both the UK and continental markets, providing a platform for further business growth.”

Fran McIntyre of QD Events, the new organisers of the fishing exhibition, said she was delighted that Anderson Marine had confirmed its attendance at the 2010 show, with the Kingfisher boat likely to prove a focal point of attraction.

“We have been consulting closely with the fishing industry on the format of the exhibition and one thing that quickly became apparent is that fishermen are keen to see fishing vessel displays,” she said.

 “We have made a number of exciting changes to this year’s show and are confident that it will be one of the best fishing exhibitions ever.”

Over 50% of stand space for Fishing 2010 has already been sold to suppliers from the UK, Ireland and the rest of Europe. The event will be staged at the SECC in Glasgow from 20-22 May.

More information at www.fishingexpo.co.uk

A high resolution photograph of Anderson Marine’s latest vessel completion, the Wansbeck, for Paul Dent of Northumberland is available, please contact Keith Broomfield (details below).

Ends

Notes to editors

Fishing 2010 is the UK’s only annual commercial fishing exhibition and attracts visitors and exhibitors from around the world.

More information on Anderson Marine at www.andersonmarine.co.uk

Media enquiries:

Keith Broomfield

Catch PR Ltd

Tel: 07890 781151

Katy Walker

QD Events Ltd

Tel: 0141 576 3878

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