Ocean Nets Ltd

Ocean Nets Ltd in Lerwick operates as a specialist supplier to the commercial fishing sector, combining a small on-site tackle shop feel with the capabilities of a dedicated fishing nets manufacturer and repair service provider.

The core of the business revolves around designing, manufacturing and repairing commercial fishing nets tailored to different fisheries and vessel types, rather than simply reselling generic gear off the shelf. This focus on custom solutions is particularly relevant for crews who need trawl gear, purse seine systems or robust trawl nets that match specific grounds, depths and target species.

Ocean Nets Ltd presents itself as a company whose aim is to save customers time and money by providing well-designed nets and fast turnaround on repairs, which is critical for professional crews where every day in port can represent lost income. For skippers and gear masters, the availability of local net design expertise and repair capability can reduce the need to send equipment away to mainland suppliers, helping to keep vessels operational with minimal delay.

Beyond the specialist manufacturing side, the premises also offer a selection of fishing tackle at reasonable prices, as reflected in feedback highlighting a good range of gear for everyday angling needs. This makes Ocean Nets Ltd a hybrid option for both commercial crews and local anglers needing hooks, lines, terminal tackle or accessories without resorting solely to online ordering.

The company is run by an owner with a long-standing background in the marine and fishing trade, who has been associated with Ocean Nets Ltd and a related Ocean Tackle operation for many years. This continuity of ownership suggests a degree of industry knowledge and personal relationships with customers, which can be valuable when discussing gear changes, net modifications or choosing the right fishing equipment for particular grounds.

On the positive side, the specialisation in net manufacture and repair gives Ocean Nets Ltd an edge over general hardware or leisure shops that only carry limited marine stock. Commercial operators can source bespoke trawl gear, replacement netting panels, ropes and rigging tailored to their boats, and benefit from on-site advice on how adjustments might affect catch performance and fuel use.

For local and visiting anglers, having a shop where you can pick up fishing rods, reels, fishing line, lures and consumables alongside more industrial gear can be a practical advantage. While the emphasis of the business is clearly on commercial supply, the tackle selection has been described as broad enough to cover typical sea angling requirements, with prices seen as fair rather than inflated for a remote area.

Another strength lies in the company’s apparent commitment to service. The stated goal of helping customers reduce downtime aligns with how many professional fishers evaluate suppliers: reliability, responsiveness and the ability to fix or replace gear at short notice. For crews working tight weather windows or limited quotas, prompt net repair and access to spare meshes, chafers and codends can make a tangible difference.

The industrial setting, within a working estate serving the fishing fleet, also means that Ocean Nets Ltd is positioned close to the harbour and associated marine services, which can simplify logistics for landing nets, collecting repaired gear or coordinating with other contractors. Crews can often combine a trip to the net loft with visits to engineering, electronics or chandlery providers nearby, making the location practical even if it lacks the polish of a high-street storefront.

However, there are some limitations that potential customers should bear in mind. Ocean Nets Ltd has a very modest online and review presence, with only a small number of public comments available and little detailed feedback on specific jobs or long-term durability of its nets. This makes it harder for new customers to benchmark the business against larger regional or national suppliers that attract extensive ratings and case studies.

The low volume of public reviews means that one or two positive remarks about the range of fishing tackle and pricing, while encouraging, may not fully represent the day-to-day experience for every customer. For a buyer placing a substantial order for custom fishing nets or a full refit of trawl gear, this sparse online footprint may lead to a desire for more references or direct recommendations from other skippers.

Another potential drawback is that, as a specialist serving a relatively focused commercial market, Ocean Nets Ltd does not appear to offer the breadth of branded consumer products that you might find in a large dedicated fishing tackle shop or nationwide chain. Anglers determined to source particular high-end brands of spinning reels, sea fishing rods or lure ranges might still need to compare options with major online retailers and more generalist stores.

For recreational customers used to slick e‑commerce platforms and abundant social media content, the company’s limited digital presence may also feel somewhat dated. It is not obvious that there is an extensive online ordering system, stock visibility or detailed product listings, so many purchases are likely still arranged via traditional contact or in-person visits rather than fully managed online.

Service levels, while generally described positively in terms of selection and pricing, are not documented in depth for issues such as after-sales support, warranty handling or long-term performance of nets in challenging conditions. Commercial operators considering substantial investment in bespoke trawl nets or gill nets might reasonably want to discuss these aspects directly with the team, ask about reference vessels and clarify what support is available if gear needs modification after initial sea trials.

On the other hand, the combination of net manufacturing and a physical tackle outlet remains an advantage when compared to purely online fishing gear vendors, where returns and adjustments can be more cumbersome. Customers at Ocean Nets Ltd can discuss requirements face to face, check the feel and finish of materials and potentially make incremental changes to fishing nets or rigging based on actual fishing results rather than abstract specifications.

For working boats, the ability to get damaged nets repaired locally rather than shipping them long distances offers both cost and time benefits. Having a nearby team capable of mending tears, replacing worn sections, adjusting mesh sizes or fitting new rockhoppers and sweeps allows crews to keep essential gear turning around between trips with far less disruption.

The company’s role as a supplier of materials and equipment, not just finished nets, can also matter for operators who prefer to handle some of their own maintenance. Access to quality twine, floats, sinkers, ropes and ancillary hardware allows crews or experienced netmen onboard to carry out minor repairs or modifications themselves, while still relying on the loft for more extensive work.

For anglers, Ocean Nets Ltd’s tackle selection, while not heavily documented online, appears to give access to core items needed for local sea fishing such as sea fishing tackle, terminal gear and basic fishing accessories, which is helpful in an island setting where last-minute replacements might otherwise involve long waits for delivery. The indication that prices are reasonable suggests that the business is mindful of balancing the cost of remote supply with the budgets of everyday fishers.

Overall, Ocean Nets Ltd comes across as a practical, industry-focused supplier rather than a glossy retail destination, prioritising the needs of working fishing vessels and local customers who value reliable fishing nets, competent repairs and accessible fishing tackle. Potential clients looking for a partner to support commercial operations will likely appreciate the emphasis on net design and service, while recreational anglers may find the on-site tackle range sufficient for most trips, even if it does not match the scale of a large mainland fishing tackle shop.