Fishermen advised of spoot-harvesting decision

A razorfish harvesting area in Orkney has been “declassified” by the Food Standards Agency (Scotland).

This means that the commercial harvesting of razorfish – better known as spoots – will not be permitted from April 1 this year at Fersness Bay, Eday.

As a result, there will be no areas in Orkney where razorfish can be harvested commercially from that date.

The OIC’s environmental health team has written to those fishermen known to harvest razorfish who work in the area to advise of the declassification by the FSAS.

David Brown said: “For an area to retain its classification a certain number of samples have to be submitted by the industry for testing each year.

“That hasn’t happened for Fersness Bay over the last 12 months and as a result, the FSAS will no longer permit razorfish to be harvested commercially from the start of April.

“If fishermen wish to challenge the decision, there is an appeal procedure they can follow and we can advise on this.”

For an appeal application form and information about the information and laboratory samples the FSAS will require, contact the OIC Environmental Health team on 01856 873535 or env.health@orkney.gov.uk