Fresh Seafood

Scottish Haddock and Prawn Fisheries Apply for Marine Stewardship Council Eco-label

Two Scottish fisheries have applied for assessment under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) environmental standard for sustainable fishing. The Scottish White Fish Producers Association (SWFPA)  North Sea haddock fishery and the nephrops or langoustine prawns fisheries will be considered for the MSC eco-label. If successful, products from the fisheries will be allowed to display the coveted MSC eco-label showing that they come from a sustainable and well-managed fishery. Both would be the first MSC Scottish products certified for their respective categories; fish and chips and scampi.

Haddock and nephrops are two of the most valuable fish in the North Sea for Scottish fishermen. In 2007, the haddock fishery landed fish with a value of around £27.9 million and in 2005, the nephrops fishery landed 15,535 tons valued at £38.7 million.

George MacRae from SWFPA announced: "SWFPA, with the support of The Scottish Government Marine Directorate (SGMD), Seafood Scotland, Scottish Fishermen’s Organization, The Food and Drink Federation, Aberdeenshire Council and other organizations representing fishing interests both on and offshore consider that the assessment of two of the most important fish stocks to Scottish fishermen is vital for the future credibility of the industry. MSC accreditation for such stocks will not only answer many of the issues raised particularly by environmentalists in respect of commercial fishing but will also underpin a significant amount of conservation and stock regeneration work undertaken by SWFPA. In addition this accreditation will enhance the marketability of these two top quality fish stocks and enable their nutritional benefit be opened to a much wider range of consumers. SWFPA will also continue to pilot and promote initiatives for commercial fishing as the Association strives to deliver the balanced equation of matching sufficient quota to catch and sufficient time to catch such quota with sensible conservation and stock regeneration issues that are environmentally friendly."

MSC Chief Executive Rupert Howes remarked: "I am delighted to welcome the SWFPA North Sea haddock and nephrops fisheries into full MSC assessment. This significant development further demonstrates the Scottish fishing industry's commitment to sustainable fishing. Given the value, tonnage and diversity of species now under assessment in Scotland, the Scottish fishing industry is increasingly well placed to take a leading position in meeting the growing demand for certified sustainable seafood from seafood buyers and consumers around the world."

The MSC is an international non-profit organization that was set up in 1997 to promote solutions to the problem of overfishing. The MSC runs the only widely recognized environmental certification and eco-labeling program for wild capture fisheries.