What does the cryptic crossword clue "Avoided dealing with port covered by fish (10)" mean?

The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). SKATE (synonym="=fish") + DOVER (synonym="=port, in Kent") = SKATEDOVER The answer is SKATEDOVER.

Avoided dealing with port covered by fish (10)

Independent Cryptic #11322 | 14 Down | 2023-01-25 flower