The Scottish Fisheries Sustainable Accreditation Group (SFSAG) recently introduced a new handbook to help vessels protect endangered, threatened and protected species of skates and rays.
The group, which is Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified for North Sea haddock and Scottish saithe, says the handbook will help vessels fulfil the requirements of their MSC programme.
“While we know that the fishing industry in Scotland is one of the most environmentally aware in Europe, being able to demonstrate this is becoming more and more important for the supply chain,” said Jane Sandell, programme manager, SFSAG.
“Fishermen have the potential to provide a window into the marine environment, and schemes such as this have a dual benefit, providing both the supply chain and a wider audience with information on lesser known species,” she added.
Around 10,000 tonnes of saithe is fished each year by some 230 Scottish vessels using bottom trawls, pair trawls and Scottish seines.
SFSAG says landings of skate and ray species in Scotland vary throughout the year, and amount to less than 500 tonnes, while markets are limited and specialised, and demand has fallen over the last 10 to 15 years.
The handbook provides guidance for the handling and release of skate and ray species and explains that large specimens are powerful and may cause harm to themselves or the crew if they are not handled correctly when being returned to the ocean.
