Family-run UK company Whitby Seafoods has confirmed its support of an agreement between the scampi fishermen of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland to adopt the Marine Stewardship Council’s new “In Transition to MSC” programme.
The company said this new development is a vital step in its mission to ensure sustainability lies at the heart of the UK’s scampi fishery.
It explained that the move builds on the work carried out under the Project UK FIP, whilst using the latest version 3 of the MSC framework that allows even greater transparency and accountability in documenting progress against this standard.
Retailers, processors, and NGOs have come together to facilitate this agreement and Whitby Seafoods will play a leading role in co-ordinating and funding its success.
Scampi is a very important commercial British fishery with scampi tails almost exclusively sold to UK consumers. This new agreement means it will be working towards MSC accreditation.
Whitby Seafoods commitment to sustainable fishing can be further seen through a new Northern Irish industry led initiative. Throughout March, it will be working with the Portavogie-registered fishing boat, The Golden Ray, to trial the use of modified fishing nets to further minimise by-catch.
“Whitby Seafoods’ commitment to the sustainability of the UK scampi can be seen through these exciting new initiatives. We’re delighted to have played a leading role in helping the sector reach this vital and credible sustainability agreement,” Managing Director Daniel Whittle said.
