Albino Haddock

A rare albino - or 'golden' - haddock was landed at the Lerwick fish market yesterday.

The haddock was caught by the local fishing boat Resilient (LK 195) while she was fishing about 45 miles north east of Unst.

NAFC Marine Centre technician Leanna Henderson explained that 'golden' haddock have no pigment in their skin, meaning that they lack the haddock's normal colouration, including the distinctive black 'thumb print'. That leaves the fish almost completely white, but with a golden tint around its fins - hence the name. Very little scientific information is available about the condition, but it is thought to be caused by a genetic abnormality that means that the fish's skin cells don't make any pigment.

The lack of colour hadn't obviously affected this haddock too much as it had grown to a length of 56cm and must have been several years old.

'Golden' haddock are very rare - neither Leanna nor anyone else at NAFC had seen one before, although a handful have previously been caught around Britain and Ireland.