With Icelandic fishermen still on strike and Scottish fishermen failing to catch the required amounts due to the North Sea fishing restrictions, it is the Norwegian industry that is now set to take advantage of the UK market. Some Norwegian fish already makes its way under contract to the UK, but the quantities are now set to rise. Shortages are causing fish prices to increase in the UK and it will make economic sense for the Norwegians to switch supplies away from some existing markets into Britain where they can get a better price for their haddock. In many of the Scottish ports, fishermen are having to throw away much of what they are catching due to the fish being undersized. They have been left with little alternative as they feel that government aid centres on decommissioning. In the UK's other markets, both Hull and Grimsby have had fish to sell but supplies are expected to slow down considerably as all Icelandic and reserve supplies have now been sold. Both markets had fish from the Faeroes but admitted that they would have liked more than they received. Grimsby also received Irish fish, but this source of supply is also set to dry up as the Irish season will close at the end of April. In Plymouth, locally caught supplies of fish have been good but it is feared that high prices over the Easter period have cut consumer demand. The industry is hoping the Icelandic fishermen will return to work quickly to prevent severe shortages of the traditional species, particularly cod. But most major multiples are well placed to continue supply for their customers, due to long-term planning and innovative buying. {{M/E MEAT }}

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