Fish market 'shout auction' to be replaced

Peterhead has a busy fish market

The traditional "shout auction" at Peterhead fish market is to be replaced by an electronic system.

The market in the Aberdeenshire town - which is the UK's largest fishing port - has until now stuck with the traditional method of buyers calling out their bids for boxes of fish.

Peterhead Port Authority (PPA) launched a consultation on the possible introduction of an electronic auction, which would allow buyers to purchase fish without them actually being physically present.

The PPA board has now approved the introduction of the electronic auction within the fish market.

PPA said the consultation showed "overwhelming" support for the introduction of the electronic auction, which is commonplace in many other markets.

Chief executive Graeme Reid said: “This is an exciting moment for the port and Peterhead community.

"Peterhead Port Authority has invested around £70m on facilities in the port in the last 10 years, and this next investment will further reinforce and future-proof Peterhead Port’s position as the leading fish port in Europe.”

He said they were content that solutions to any potential issues raised had been found.

The plan is for the new system to go live in early Spring 2026.