A fisheries centre of excellence has been launched in Scotland to improve sustainable fishing throughout the sector.
Fisheries Innovation Scotland (FiS), a non-profit organisation, was established by the fishing industry, government and scientists. It will spearhead an on-going programme of research, knowledge exchange and innovation to help inform and shape the future governance and management of sustainable fisheries in Scotland. It will also work with similar organisations throughout Europe to develop research links.
All member organisations of FIS will pay a minimum annual subscription fee. These funds, together with other competitively awarded funding, will be used to fund a series of applied research projects, including:
- Educational/capacity building programmes
- Short-duration projects – including exploratory studies which may lead on to more substantive projects
- Desk studies – collation, interpretation and reporting of information on a specified issue and/or subject area
- Development of improved fisheries management models
- Development and assessment of new fishing gear and techniques
John Goodlad, chair of the FIS Board of Trustees, said, “This initiative demonstrates a huge commitment by the Scottish fishing industry towards sustainable fisheries management. I believe that Fisheries Innovation Scotland has great potential for the future.”
