Facilities at Macduff Harbour in Aberdeenshire have been further developed to benefit the local fishing industry.
A new chill room has been installed at the existing fishmarket by Aberdeenshire Council at a cost of more than £16,000 and is now up and running.
The chill room is fully automated and has the capacity to store 400 boxes of fish or prawns.
Duncan Mackie, harbour officer, said: “It is important to have a chill facility at the harbour so boats landing here on a daily basis can keep their catch as fresh as possible before it is picked up and taken to market.
“We managed to ensure the chill room was in place ready for the beginning of the Moray Firth squid fishery, and since it was installed it has also been used on a daily basis for fish and prawns.”
Corrie McCall, principal officer harbours, said: “The relaxation on regulation regarding fish landings at Macduff has seen an increase in activity and the completion of this new chill room will add to the facilities we provide to support the catching sector.”
The new facility at Macduff Harbour is one of the many improvements and facilities added to the port over the last year.
These improvements include a new road layout at the harbour and additional car parking facilities. There have also been a number of new safety and operational systems of work created to optimize harbour and slipway use.
Investigatory work is also ongoing to consider the viability of installing an ice plant, which would reduce time and associated costs for local boats that currently have to travel further afield for ice.