The Scottish White Fish Producers’ Association (SWFPA) - the largest fishing association in Scotland, with approximately 200 members - has committed to supporting all of its members to apply for Responsible Fishing Scheme (RFS) certification.
Following the successful audits of two of its members who have now become the first vessels certified under the revamped scheme, the SWFPA has made an agreement with RFS developer Seafish to fund the applications of its members. The first skippers in Scotland to be certified are brothers Brian and John Stephen from Boddam, Aberdeenshire who fish out of Peterhead with their vessels, Ocean Harvest and Harvester catching haddock, cod and other whitefish. Both vessels and skippers were in the previous Responsible Fishing Scheme in 2008.
Each will hold the certification for two years and participate in annual checks to ensure the standard is adhered to.
A key revision to the scheme has been a focus on crew welfare, following slavery issues that have been reported in the seafood supply chain, as well as the general health and safety on board fishing vessels.
SWFPA inshore and environmental policy co-ordinator Anne-Margaret Anderson said, "With our strong commitment to responsible catching practices and crew welfare, the SWFPA is delighted that our members will be some of the first in Scotland to go for certification under the re-vamped Responsible Fisheries Scheme (RFS).
“It is important that skippers are able to demonstrate that as well as taking a responsible attitude to the environment and sustainable fishing, they adhere to best practice when it comes to crew and conditions on board, and the RFS enables them to do that."
RFS was first launched by Seafish in 2006 and was one of the first initiatives enabling fishing vessel owners and the supply chain to demonstrate their compliance with industry best practice on board fishing vessels and commitment to responsibly sourced seafood.
