MBE for Leslie

NAFC lecturer Leslie Tait was at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh today to receive his MBE from the Queen.

Leslie, who is also Chairman of the Shetland Fishermen's Association, was awarded the MBE in the New Year Honours list for services to the fishing industry.

Leslie joined the NAFC Marine Centre UHI in 2002 after a 34 year career at sea as a commercial fisherman. For the last 19 of those years he skippered the whitefish fishing boat Harmony (LK 63).

When the Harmony was decommissioned in 2002 Leslie attend NAFC as a student to upgrade his qualifications. On completing his training he was offered a post as a lecturer in navigation and seamanship, which he still holds. Since then Leslie has been able to draw on his extensive practical experience to help train new generations of fishermen and other seafarers.

Leslie also helps operate NAFC's research and survey vessels, contributing to a range of research and other work undertaken by the Centre, and plays a key role in liaising between the Centre and the local fishing industry.

In addition to his work at NAFC, Leslie has served for eight years as Chairman of the Shetland Fishermen's Association, and for eight years before that as Chairman of the Shetland Fish Producer's Organisation.