Peterhead Fish Market has had no auction for first time

Peterhead Fish Market has had no auction for the first time in recent history after a boycott by processors.

Aberdeenshire is the largest white fish port in Europe and the market is one of the largest.

As part of that practice, the practice of so-called bid sharing or ringing was commonly used, which is when buyers sometimes bid in groups rather than individually.

Following complaints, it obtained legal advice which described such practices as anti-competitive and contrary to applicable competition law. In a letter sent in December to those who use the market, Port Authority chief executive Simon Brebner said: The measures are intended to ensure that the sales process at the fish market is in a compliant manner in the interests of all stakeholders. The authority insists that each bidder should be acting independently and not co-operating with any other party to achieve prices at the auction that may be lower than those that would otherwise be achieved in a competitive market.

The Scottish Seafood Association, which represents the majority of processors, said the situation was ongoing and declined to comment.

The Scottish White Fish Producers Association, which represents fishermen, said it was looking for both parties to work together to find a solution to what isn't an unsurmountable difference. The market is expected to operate as normal on Thursday. There isn't sure if there will be further boycotts.