Blockaded fish row boat leaves Peterhead

The blockade was over controversial Faroese mackerel catches

A Faroese fishing boat has left port after being prevented from offloading its cargo by Peterhead fishermen angry over mackerel quotas.

The Jupiter was met by dozens of protesters at the harbour in the early hours of the morning.

The skipper, Emil Pedersen, said it had been a "very bad situation" to be in.

Mackerel quotas set by the Faroe Islands and Iceland governments could be "disastrous" for the Scottish fleet, it was warned last week.

About 40 people had taken part in direct action to prevent The Jupiter landing fish.

The Faroes has declared a quota of 85,000 tonnes for this year. Previously, Iceland awarded itself 130,000 tonnes.

Mr Pedersen, 38, told the BBC Scotland news website: "We have fish on board which is good for human consumption."

Of the blockading fishermen, he said: "This is not their job, this is a political matter.

"It's very strange that the police cannot stop this."

Chief executive of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen's Federation, Ian Gatt, said: "The protest has been very peaceful but the guys are very angry."

Mackerel is the most valuable stock to the Scottish industry.