Where have all the Prawns Gone?

In the gradual emptying of Scotland’s seas of most fish species, fishermen have taken some comfort in the belief that at least there were plenty of prawns. However, on May 20th no prawns at all were landed at Fraserburgh, normally the UK’s top prawn port. The Fishnews EU website said one market user described the increasing prawn shortage as “very acute.”

Prawn scarcity is being put down to a number of factors including a general lack of fish plus the impact of closures to protect juvenile fish. The list of challenges facing white fish catchers includes an ongoing haddock scarcity.