Seafish has launched the Responsible Fishing Ports Scheme (RFPS) to certify responsible food safety and operational practices within fishing ports and is calling on suitable ports to apply.
The RFPS is a voluntary programme developed by industry that is now open for applications from fishing ports with an auction or direct sale function (large ports) that wish to be certified, to demonstrate their responsible operating credentials in the areas of food safety and structural integrity, port and the working environment, care for the environment, care of the catch and traceability.
Marcus Jacklin, Seafish Industry Issues and Insight, said: “The commitment of industry stakeholders and their extensive collaboration with Seafish has been pivotal to the successful development of this groundbreaking scheme. This is a scheme developed by industry for industry and will assure the supply chain that certified ports are adhering to good operational standards.”
Multiple benefits
Martyn Boyers, chief executive of Grimsby Fish Market, said: “The benefit to ports is multifaceted. The scheme has brought collaboration in the ports sector and allows us to benchmark our respective operations. This has led to information sharing in key areas such as traceability, technical and hygiene.”
The scheme is initially launched to cater for large ports; however, a separate standard for smaller ports will be developed.
Seafish are currently seeking volunteers from the supply chain, namely the small ports sector, to be part of the process to develop the standard for small ports.
