New entrants to the fishing industry have successfully completed the Seafish-funded Introduction to Commercial Fishing course in Troon, in the capable hands of FITA’s Lachie Paterson. The Fishermen’s Mission provided support throughout the course.

The course consists of two weeks shore-based training (covering safety, gear and catch handling, net mending, rope work, engineering and navigation) and one week of mandatory safety courses (Sea Survival, Fire Fighting, First Aid, Health and Safety) and the Seafish Basic Fishing Vessel Stability course. Local skippers have offered to take the new fishermen on board to help them find their sea legs.

Immediately following this course students can look for berths on suitable fishing vessels so that they can go to sea and put their new-found knowledge into practice and gain practical experience of fishing.

Pictured are the successful course members Aidan Strain, Paul Lucchesi, Calum Livingstone, trainer Lachie Paterson, Lloyd Barbour, Kieran Scott and Ray Lindington.