Hobby Fisheries

Fishing has been a popular activity for Shetlanders for over 6,000 years, since the islands were first settled, and continues to be a popular pastime until this day. The Shetland dialect word "eela" means to go fishing by rod or handline from a small boat. On fine summer nights many Shetlanders will head off to sea, trying for fish such as mackerel, or piltocks (coalfish). Fishers selling their catch for profit require a license but members of the public are allowed to catch a small number of fish for their own consumption without one.

The UHI Shetland staff members in the video are using a fishing rod and reel with mackerel feathers as a lure to mimic the appearance and movement of mackerel's natural prey. Multiple hooks maximises chances when a shoal is nearby meaning that several fish can be caught at once.