Well it's been a busy month of travel in the sales department.

Sales Manager, John Angus, was recently in Holland to attend the retirement party for Piet Blankendaal, who was the owner of Daalimpex Coldstores B.V. An impressive function was arranged at the newly completed extension to their Tuitjenhorn coldstore and included the Volendam Opera Choir, the Dutch Swing College Band and a delicious buffet. All at Shetland Catch would like to wish him the very best of health and happiness in his retirement.

The next party was to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Hubgretse BV., our carton manufacturer. It was estimated that around 800 people attended this party, which included an interesting tour of the Solidpack factory. Happy Birthday Arthur & Ron and we hope you'll have many more happy and successful years in business.

John and Billy Finnie, Sales Executive, then attended Polfish in Gdansk. We had our usual stand in Hall 5. There, John and Billy met with our customers, many of whom were also exhibiting at the show. Polfish is on a much smaller scale than ESE in Brussels. As a result, we are able to spend more quality time with our individual customers. The Polish market has grown in importance for us since they joined the EU in 2004, particularly for the smaller sizes of mackerel.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we have been having a big spring clean. We expect that fishing will begin within the next couple of weeks so have been making sure that all equipment is cleaned and maintained, in preparation for what we expect to be a busy herring season.

We are very sorry to be saying goodbye to our fish buyer, Ryan Leith, who was worked with Shetland Catch for over six years. Good luck in your new job Ryan!

We are also losing one of our directors, Allan Wishart. He has retired from his position at Lerwick Port Authority in order to become a local councillor and as such is giving up his position on Shetland Catch's Board of Directors, where he has held a seat for the past 21 years. We have every confidence that he will be a great success in his new position and wish him the best of luck.

Saturday 16th June will see the 11th RNMDSF Fish Trades Golf Cup take place in Whalsay. Shetland Catch is delighted to be sponsoring this event again. So far over 34 teams have been entered, including two teams from Shetland Catch. Simon Leiper will be there to present the prizes.

Throughout June, Shetland will be celebrating Midsummer with the annual Johnsmas Foy. As part of the Johnsmas Foy, Richard Weymss will be exhibiting his “Mackerel Seas” paintings and drawings in the Shetland Catch board room. Everybody is welcome to come along to view his work on Saturday 23rd June between 11am and 3pm.