The project aims to support fisheries from across the Scottish fishing industry. It will also include a special remit to work with the inshore fisheries that make up the majority of Scotland’s 5,448 fishermen, providing a vital supply of fresh seafood to the UK and continental Europe.

Rural affairs and environment secretary Richard Lochhead said: 'More than half of all Scottish fisheries by value are now either MSC-certified or in the full assessment process and many more are on the road to achieving the gold standard of sustainability. This is hugely encouraging as the future health and viability of our fisheries is dependent on our stocks being harvested in a responsible manner. I am proud of Scotland’s conservation credentials and pay tribute to our fishing sector for the enviable reputation for fishing sustainably it has forged.

'Sustainability sells products and more consumers than ever before are seeking a guarantee that the product they eat is from sustainable sources. Certification is also what the market wants, and in these tough economic times it’s vital that we do everything in our power to ensure profitability of this important industry. Interest in MSC certification is rapidly gaining momentum in Scotland – the number of certified fisheries doubled in 2008 and has already redoubled in the first few months of this year.

'The MSC outreach officer will support this growth in Scotland by acting as a source of support to all fisheries in Scotland. As well as funding this post I am delighted to announce an extra £20,000 today in support of the outreach project which will help raise awareness of the benefits of MSC and support fisheries that wish to pursue certification.'

MSC’s Scottish Fisheries outreach officer, Claire Pescod, explains the project’s importance: “The Scottish fisheries that have already achieved MSC certification are just starting to see the benefits of the MSC ecolabel on their fish but there are many more Scottish fisheries out there that could find MSC certification useful, not just for marketing but for planning management priorities. Working in this historic partnership with the Scottish Government, I’m looking forward to getting out and meeting the industry to involve more fisheries in the MSC programme.”

As part of the project, Claire plans to visit the Shetland Isles fishermen later this summer. If you would like to know more about the project – or get involved – please contact Claire at claire.pescod@msc.org

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---