As per the press communiqué Scottish saithe fishery will be awarded the MSC ecolabel after successful completion of assessment as a sustainable and well-managed fishery. The fishery is being entered for assessment by the Scottish Fisheries Sustainable accreditation Group (SFSAG) whose North Sea haddock fishery was MSC certified in October
2010. The SFSAG North Sea Nephrops fishery is also currently going through full assessment.
The main location of the fishery is in the North Sea and up the west coast of Scotland. The boats use a variety of fishing gears and the assessment will include all 210 saithe fishing boats that are members of the SFSAG. Mike Park, chairman of SFSAG said that it is the result of hard work and vision of the SFSAG.
He added that sustainability accreditation is high on the agenda for many of the businesses buying from the Scottish fleet. He also told that this is another step in assisting the Scottish industry to remain competitive in the global market and to ensure that our products are available to as wide an audience as possible. Claire Pescod, UK Fisheries Outreach Manager for the MSC added that the SFSAG’s members represent over 300 Scottish fishermen and entering this latest fishery into assessment is further confirmation of their commitment to sustainable fishing practices and the healthy, sustainable future of the Scottish fishing industry.
