Ian Gets His Award

6 June 2016 - Shetland fisherman Ian Shearer, skipper of the Courageous (LK 470) received his Fishing News Young Fisherman of the Year trophy this morning in a brief ceremony at Scalloway Harbour.

Ian, from Whalsay, had not been able to attend the recent awards ceremony in Aberdeen where he was named joint winner in the young fisherman of the year category so his trophy was accepted on his behalf by Caroline Hepburn, Liaison Officer at NAFC Marine Centre who, along with Leslie Tait, Nautical lecturer, had entered the nomination.

The Fishing News Awards have been reinstated by the Fishing News after an eight-year absence to celebrate the men and women who work long hours in the fishing industry, often in extremely difficult conditions, to put healthy and sustainable food on the table.

Judged a worthy winner, the industry panel making the decision heard that Ian had demonstrated enthusiasm and dedication to the fishing industry since before he left school. He achieved his SVQ in Fishing Vessel Operations at the NAFC Marine Centre in Scalloway in 2006-2007 while crewing onboard the Defiant (LK371), and was also awarded the prize as best Skillseeker that year. Ian continued his career and gained his Class 2 Fishing Deck Officer Certificate of Competency in 2013, again at NAFC, also being awarded the Jeanette Williamson Prize as the outstanding student that year.

Ian’s commitment to the local industry has been further demonstrated by his acquisition, along with a partnership of three other young men under the age of 25, of the 24 metre trawler Courageous (ex. Guardian Angell) in April 2015. Ian and his crew have fished very successfully since acquiring the Courageous and this was the basis of his nomination for the accolade.

Handing the trophy over to its rightful owner, Caroline Hepburn and Leslie Tait, Chairman of the Shetland Fishermen’s Association, expressed their delight at seeing Ian recognised for his commitment to the fishing industry in this way.  Leslie said “Ian is a very worthy of the title Young Fisherman of the Year and it shows that with the right ambition, enthusiasm and talents there is still room for the younger generation to make a start in the industry today despite the many challenges”.

The Courageous is heading to sea later today after a brief tie-up and later in the month will expand the crew by taking on a Modern Apprentice as soon as he has completed the Seafish 3 week Introduction to Commercial Fishing course at NAFC.