MSC label for Scottish Pelagic Sustainability Group’s (SPSG) Atlanto-Scandian herring fishery would enable it to enter bigger market. The assessment was carried out by independent certifier Food Certification International. SPSG pelagic trawlers fitted with the latest refrigerated seawater tank systems catch Atlanto-Scandian herring over a large area of the northeast Atlantic. The UK has a quota of 20,600 tonnes for 2010, which is around 1.4 percent of the Total Allowable Catch for the Atlanto-Scandian herring stock.
SPSG Company Secretary, Derek Duthie informed that the Atlanto-Scandian herring fishery is very important as the large biomass has led to healthy quotas. It is one of our top three fisheries, and for many fishermen it is their second fishery in terms of quota allowance. He also told that SPSG mackerel and North Sea herring stocks already carry the MSC eco-label and it was important to us that Atlanto-Scandian herring achieve the same standard, to demonstrate our continued commitment to sustainable fishing.
MSC ecolabel would allow SPSG members to compete on a level playing field with other countries’ products, particularly Norway and Denmark. Main commercial markets for Atlanto-Scandian herring are Russia, Ukraine and China. Industry insider said that they have noticed an increase in the number of pelagic buyers insisting on MSC certification.
Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said that this latest achievement is further recognition of the outstanding conservation efforts of Scotland’s fishermen. Congratulations to everyone involved for being awarded the gold standard of sustainability.
