Anderson High School’s secondary school students had the chance to learn more about the local seafood industry last week when Seafood Shetland’s popular ‘So Much to Sea’ campaign visited the school as part of a special ‘Fishy Friday’ event.
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Students and staff had the chance to see the ‘So Much to Sea’ exhibition and film as well as try out different seafood canapés, which had all been prepared by school hospitality students.

AHS biology teacher, Caroline Simpson, was the driving force behind the day and had approached Seafood Shetland to help make her idea a reality. A keen advocate of the local seafood industry Caroline had always wanted to do more to address the apparent gap in students’ knowledge of the industry and encourage them to talk about it as well as taste and appreciate some of the different species available in Shetland’s waters.

The day kicked off with 12 hospitality students working alongside Shetland food author Marian Armitage throughout the morning to prepare a range of delicious canapés to serve to students and staff.

Using Shetland fish and shellfish, which had all been donated by the industry, samples included hot smoked salmon paté on oatcakes, mussels with a salsa vinaigrette, scallops ceviche, warm scallops wrapped in bacon, monkfish chermoula and fishcakes.

Some 900 students mingled throughout their lunch hour to sample these local flavours as well as tucking in to the canteen’s special hake fish dish – which flew off the menu in a matter of minutes.

Head teacher Valerie Nicolson said: “This has been a brilliant day and it has created a great atmosphere in the school. The hospitality students put together an incredible spread and demonstrated their capabilities as well as the versatility of the seafood ingredients.”

After school, staff were treated to the seafood canapés and also had the one-off opportunity to buy fish direct from the fishermen. Specially prepared bags of lesser known species such as catfish, megrim and tusk – as well as the more familiar haddock and monkfish, which had all been donated by the Alison Kay LK57, along with scallops donated by QA Fish, were on sale, with all proceeds going to the Anderson High School’s funds and the Fishermen’s Mission. A silent auction for a live 2lb lobster, donated by Jim Anderson, also created a stir, resulting in a winning bid of £31.

Caroline concluded: “I am absolutely delighted with how today has gone and overwhelmed by the positive response of the students. We have had such great feedback with many students surprising themselves at how much they enjoyed trying new flavours. Huge thanks to everyone who donated the seafood and also those who gave their time to support what has been a really valuable exercise. I hope this will be just the start of our Fishy Fridays at the school.”

Chief executive of Seafood Shetland, Ruth Henderson said: “I am delighted that the school asked ‘So Much to Sea’ to get involved with their Fishy Friday and help demonstrate the significance of the industry throughout the isles.”