The Scottish Pelagic Sustainability Group (SPSG) has expressed its ‘deep disappointment’ at a statement issued by Young’s via the North Atlantic Pelagic Advocacy Group (NAPA) concerning the ongoing negotiations between coastal states over mackerel, Atlanto-Scandian herring and blue whiting for 2022.
‘In this statement, Young’s appear to be making no differential on sourcing from those countries doing the right thing, such as the UK, who continue to fish sustainably and within historic shares and all fished within our own waters,’ said SPSG chairman Ian Gatt.
In its statement, Young’s made it clear that if the issue of setting unilateral quotas is unresolved, and catches continue to be in excess of ICES advice, they would ‘cease sourcing from these fisheries’.
‘This compares starkly with some of the northern countries who have set huge quotas, aren’t fishing all their quota and are doing so unregulated in international waters,’ Ian Gatt commented.
‘Given this background of disparity, SPSG is deeply disappointed by the Young’s statement, and we urge that the company, along with other seafood suppliers who may shortly be deciding upon their sourcing policies, give due recognition to those nations who are fishing responsibly.’
