Peterhead has cemented its status as the UK’s leading fishing port after posting record-breaking landings worth just over £341 million in 2025. The landmark figure underscores the port’s central role in Scotland’s seafood economy, even as industry leaders caution that quota cuts will make 2026 a far more challenging year.
Gross value landings across Peterhead’s quaysides climbed to more than £341 million in 2025, marking another record year for the port. Growth was seen across almost all species, reinforcing Peterhead’s position at the top of the UK fishing league table.
Mackerel was again the standout performer, accounting for almost 90% of the year-on-year increase in value. While overall tonnage handled fell from 223,000 tonnes in 2024 to 188,000 tonnes in 2025, this was largely due to lower volumes of pelagic species.
Strength in whitefish and shellfish
Encouragingly, both whitefish and shellfish sectors recorded gains, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of Peterhead’s fishing community. These increases helped to balance the reduced pelagic volumes and supported the wider onshore supply chain.
PPA chief executive Graeme Reid paid tribute to those behind the record-breaking performance. He said: “These achievements are a testament to the hard work of our fishermen, processors, auction teams and all those who support the daily operations of the Port. They also highlight the importance of our continued investment in the industry.”
Reid stressed that sustained investment will be vital to maintaining Peterhead’s competitive edge. “This year, Peterhead Port Authority is progressing the development of six new state‑of‑the‑art fish‑processing units, due for completion later in the year, which will provide modern facilities for businesses to grow and innovate,” he said.
He added that the port’s digital ambitions are also moving forward. “In addition, our E‑Auction project, a major step forward in the digital transformation of fish sales, remains on track for implementation towards the end of Q1.”
Quota cuts to bite in 2026
Despite the strong figures, Reid warned that the same level of financial performance is unlikely to be sustained in the year ahead. “However, it is important to recognise that the strong financial results achieved in 2025 will not be sustained at the same level in 2026,” he said.
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“The recently introduced quota cuts, most notably a 42% reduction in the mackerel quota, will have a direct and significant impact on landings and associated economic activity,” he cautioned. “While the revised Scottish Economic Link, which now requires 70% of mackerel and herring to be landed into Scottish Ports, may help in supporting the domestic supply chain, it will not offset the consequences of such substantial quota reductions.”
Reid underlined that the impact of these measures will ripple well beyond the port authority itself. “These measures will be felt not only by Peterhead Port Authority but also by the many stakeholders whose livelihoods depend on a stable and productive fishing industry,” he said.
Looking ahead, he emphasised the port’s determination to remain a “resilient and forward‑looking hub for fishing in Scotland”. “We will continue to work closely with industry partners, government, and our local community to manage the challenges ahead and to ensure that Peterhead remains a resilient and forward‑looking hub for fishing in Scotland. As ever, our commitment is to support the sector through investment, innovation, and partnership, ensuring that the port continues to deliver long-term value for all who rely on it.”
