With severe national shortages, the price of fish has increased by up to 100% in many of the main markets around the United Kingdom. With the Scottish fishing fleet landing only a fraction of its normal catch and the Icelandic on strike, it was hoped that Norwegian fish could elevate the problem. However, the Norwegians have only just sent their first consignments, due to arrive in the UK early this week. Traditionally Norwegian fish has been supplied under contract to UK companies but very little has made its way on to the market as low prices previously made it uneconomic. With the recent substantial price increases, the Norwegians have decided that the price is now right for them to switch supplies back to Britain. In Scottish ports, landings are down again. Extra effort for the Easter Holidays saw fish supplies increase, but with the bank holidays gone, fishermen are limited to what they can catch by the North Sea restrictions. In Hull and Grimsby, the lack of Icelandic supplies has led to a very difficult situation for both markets. Small quantities of Faeroes fish and some Irish stock have been available for sale on the market, but high prices are starting to hit sales. Norwegian fish is expected in Grimsby early this week, but in the short term, both markets are hoping the Icelandic fishermen go back to work. In the south west, heavy seas have wrecked local shorelines by loosening seaweed, making conditions too difficult for the smaller local boats that fish close to the coast. The larger vessels have continued working but fish supplies have been cut significantly causing the prices to rise. The situation should improve towards the end of the week. {{M/E MEAT }}

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