Three of the Scottish seafood sector’s big hitters, Denholm Seafoods, The Don Fishing Company and Seafood Ecosse, are collaborating to establish a new Peterhead-based business focused on processing Scottish whitefish.
The new entity is Trinity Seafoods Ltd and will process smaller-sized and underutilised sustainable stocks of whitefish, including haddock.
Trinity Seafoods’ operation will be in newly refurbished premises in Peterhead and will offer processing options for smaller-sized whitefish, benefiting the local and wider economy and making best-use of a sustainable resource.
‘It is great to see the Scottish seafood sector collaborating to create this new venture that will benefit fishermen and processors, and ensure best use is made out of smaller sizes of sustainably caught whitefish,’ said Richard Duthie, managing director of Denholm Seafoods.
The new company is planning a highly automated process, with freshly landed whitefish filleted by a custom-built processing line for handling smaller grades of whitefish. The business will be able to offer a range of fresh and frozen fish fillets and portions for retail and wholesale as well as offering products for value added ranges across UK, European and international markets.
The three partner companies offer different benefits and skillsets to ensure an integrated operation throughout the supply chain process. The Don Fishing Company and Denholm Group already invest in a large number of UK whitefish vessels, with Denholm Group also being a major processor in global pelagic markets with a vast experience of machine processed pelagic fish, freezing and logistics.
Seafood Ecosse is a whitefish and shellfish processor and exporter based in Peterhead and Fraserburgh, offering a strong track record of whitefish processing and marketing expertise.
‘This exciting new initiative will provide fishermen with a viable outlet for catches of smaller-sized whitefish and provides a solution to ensure their sustainable use,’ commented Bill McKenzie, managing director of The Don Fishing Company.
Trinity Seafoods is expected to become fully operational this year, with the facility being both BRC and FDA certified. The purchase of the new automated fish processing equipment received 50% grant support from the Scottish Government’s Marine Fund Scotland.
‘This collaboration is an excellent example of how companies can work together for the greater good and develop markets for fish landing into Scotland,’ said Seafood Ecosse managing director David Leiper.
‘The new company and equipment offer direct benefits for the fishing and processing sectors and will boost many support businesses in the supply chain.’
