Scotland, with its vast maritime legacy and abundance of fish in the north Atlantic Ocean, produces some of the best seafood in the world. Scottish mackerel is harvested from the same pristine waters and its ocean-fresh flavour is testament to Scotland’s rich fishing heritage.
With £0.377 million worth of UK mackerel arriving in the UAE in 2023¹, packed with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, Scottish mackerel is a nutritional powerhouse. Its succulent flesh offers a delightful balance of taste and health benefits. Whether grilled, smoked, or pickled, Scottish mackerel adapts beautifully to various cuisines and sushi lovers appreciate its melt-in-the-mouth texture.
For over 30 years the family of David Bellany has been making a living at sea and landing their catch in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire in North East Scotland. David, who is continuing that legacy, catching his mackerel ready for the markets in Tokyo, said, “Mackerel are migratory fish, and we catch them as they enter UK waters in the north east of Shetland in the autumn and then again in the new year, in January and February, as they travel west of the isles of Orkney and Lewis.
“During the mackerel season, we fish for up to three to four days in our family-owned trawler ‘Unity.’ We use our pelagic trawling method by casting our nets wide and dragging them through the middle waters. We target the middle of the waters as this is where the mackerel swim, and by ensuring our nets do not touch the bottom of the seabed, we minimise any potential damage to the marine environment.”
On being caught, the mackerel are then safely stored in refrigerated seawater tanks so they arrive to be processed in first class condition.
David continued, “We are very proud of the produce we catch and treat it with the utmost care and attention. All of our catch is kept in seawater tanks before arriving safely into port, with our best mackerel going to market.”
In the harbour of Peterhead, David’s catch is passed onto Denholm Seafoods, who have been working in collaboration with David’s family, processing their fish for many years for markets across the world.
Richard Duthie, Managing Director of Denholm Seafoods, who has a long family history in the seafood industry, said “From boat to port, through processing and onward delivery, we ensure consistently high-quality fish to customers, with full traceability.
“The fish that is processed in the factory comes predominantly from the vessels owned by our partners, like the Bellany family, who own modern pelagic trawlers and are major quota-holders of pelagic fish species in Scotland.
“Our colleague, Mr Nakayama then travels from Japan every mackerel season to inspect the fish to ensure the very best quality. It is a hands-on service and we pride ourselves in delivering the very best mackerel.”
Quality starts in their approach to fishing, as there is a close relationship between the fishing vessels and Denholm Seafoods, who work together to land the optimum volume of fish that can be processed to maintain consistent quality.
Rather than fishing to full capacity, trip times are significantly reduced so there is less risk of damaging the fish, this ensures their fish look as good as it tastes.
Richard continued, “Research has shown that Scottish mackerel production has a much lower carbon footprint compared to most other types of protein production. We catch all our Scottish mackerel in a sustainable way and want to ensure the fishing stocks are high each year. Our commitment to sustainable fishing practices ensures that each mackerel is caught responsibly, and by choosing Scottish mackerel, you are supporting eco-friendly seafood.
Scottish mackerel offers a delightful balance of richness, sweetness, and with its flaky and tender texture, makes a popular and versatile fish for seafood lovers worldwide. Richard added, “Scottish mackerel tastes great and is inexpensive compared to most proteins. Its umami-rich profile complements international cuisine perfectly. Why not eat it Sashimi style with just a splash of soy sauce, wasabi and pickled ginger, as sushi, or grilled, pickled, simmered or deep-fried.”
Denholm Seafoods in Peterhead has been producing a wide range of high-quality fish products supplying the Japanese market for over 20 years, just one example of the many companies exporting high-quality Scottish seafood from the UK to consumers all around the world.
UK food and drink is a remarkable blend of tradition and innovation and stands as one of the most exciting food cultures globally. Tracing ingredients back to their origins and celebrating the landscape that nurture them, from the salty air of Scotland to the rolling hills of Wales for Welsh Lamb, provenance matters. This meticulous high-welfare standards ensure that each bite resonates with authenticity and pride.