The new company aims to supply a range of both fresh and frozen whitefish products to retail and wholesale markets across the UK, Europe, and internationally.
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Three prominent Scottish seafood companies — Denholm Seafoods, The Don Fishing Company, and Seafood Ecosse — have joined forces to create Trinity Seafoods Ltd, a new entity dedicated to processing Scottish whitefish.
This new venture will focus on processing smaller and less utilized stocks of sustainable whitefish, such as haddock, using cutting-edge technology and facilities.
Trinity Seafoods will be located in refurbished facilities in Peterhead, Scotland, and will employ a highly automated system to fillet freshly caught whitefish, specifically designed for smaller sizes.
The company aims to supply a range of both fresh and frozen fish products to retail and wholesale markets across the UK, Europe, and internationally.
The collaboration aims to leverage the unique strengths of the three companies: The Don Fishing Company, Scotland's leading fish selling firm, and Denholm Seafoods both bring their extensive experience with the UK whitefish fleet, and Seafood Ecosse contributes its expertise in whitefish and shellfish processing and marketing.
Denholm Seafoods, together with its parent company The Denholm Group, is also a major processor in global pelagic markets with a vast experience of machine processed pelagic fish, freezing and logistics.
The new partnership is designed to boost the local and wider economy by supporting sustainable fishing practices and providing a reliable market for smaller-sized whitefish.
"It is great to see the Scottish seafood sector collaborating to create this new venture that will benefit fishermen and processers, and ensure best use is made out of smaller sizes of sustainably caught whitefish," Richard Duthie, Managing Director of Denholm Seafoods, said in a press release announcing the new venture.
Bill McKenzie, Managing Director of The Don Fishing Company, added: “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.”
“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 David Leiper, Managing Director of Seafood Ecosse.
"The new company and equipment offer direct benefits for the fishing and processing sectors and will boost many support businesses in the supply chain," Leiper added.
Trinity Seafoods is expected to commence operations later in 2024 and will hold certifications from both BRC and FDA. The Scottish Government’s Marine Fund Scotland has supported the venture with a 50% funding grant for the new automated fish processing equipment.