The Scottish Pelagic Sustainability Group (SPSG) has committed itself to a sustainable future by continuing to develop its programme of responsible fishing initiatives.
It represents those involved in the catching, processing and marketing of herring, mackerel and blue whiting.
The SPSG’s main aim was for all of its fisheries to achieve Maritime Stewardship Council (MSC) certification.
“Our founding principle a decade or so ago was to ensure the Scottish pelagic sector was at the forefront of environmental responsibility and sustainable harvesting,” said, John Goodlad, SPSG chairman.
The goal has been achieved following the recent certification of the North East Atlantic blue whiting fishery.
Some fisheries have been certified for serval years, such as North Sea herring and Atlanto-Scandian herring.
Mr Goodlad added: “We were determined to be leaders in the field and show the world that Scottish caught and processed pelagic fish follows best practice procedures at all stages of the supply chain.”
As well as the MSC programme, the SPSG is involved in numerous other responsible fishing initiatives, including a catch-sampling scheme to ensure vessels avoid catching juvenile fish.
“There is a tremendous good news story to tell about our pelagic fisheries,” said Mr Goodlad.
“They are, for example, probably the lowest carbon footprint form of protein production around. Pelagic fish such as mackerel and herring also taste great and are healthy to eat.”
He concluded: “The pelagic sector supports many jobs and is a significant contributor to the Scottish economy.”
