Last Friday, winners of the 'Big Catch 2019' competition – fishermen and entrepreneurs in the fisheries sector – were honoured at the 'Ziemeļblāzma' Palace of Culture in Riga. Despite the pressure of competition and the prospect of lower catch quotas next year, fishermen are determined not only to land large catches but also to process them for both the local and export markets.

Winners of the 'Big Catch 2019' annual fisheries awards

'Marine Fishing Company of the Year' – SIA 'Hanters';

'Coastal and Inland Waters Fishing Company of the Year' – ZS 'Kurķis';

'Aquaculture Company of the Year' – carp farm AS 'Nagļi';

'Fish Processing Company of the Year' – fish farming and processing company SIA 'Vlakon';

'Contribution to the Promotion of Fisheries and Water Management' – Pāvilosta Municipality institution, Pāvilosta Local History Museum;

'Young and Promising in the Industry' – Jānis Beitāns, production manager at 'KH Select';

'Lifetime Achievement in Fisheries' – Imants Cīrulis, founder and manager of the 'Rīgas šprotes' association.

Encouragement awards:

'Coastal and Inland Waters Fishing Company of the Year' – Nīca Municipality IK 'Asarītis';

'Aquaculture Company of the Year' – Nordena ZS 'Avotiņi';

'Fish Processing Company of the Year' – dried fish producer SIA 'Boroffish'.