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Scottish fishermen have welcomed the failure of a bid by the Faroe Islands to seek Marine Stewardship Council certification for their mackerel fishery.
The Scottish Government had lodged an objection to the Faroese application to have their mackerel fishery independently certified as being sustainable because of their decision to set a massively increased unilateral quota for 2010, which was three times larger than their previous share. They have also walked away from talks for a new 2011 international agreement.
Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “We are pleased that our objection has been upheld, as it is clear that the Faroes is in breach of the criteria to be considered a sustainably sourced fishery. This sends a strong signal to the Faroes that pursuing irresponsible fishing practices and grabbing an inflated share of the mackerel stock is unsustainable and no way to manage international fish stocks.
“This latest development once again illustrates that the Faroes should come back to the negotiating table. Our priority is to find a solution to the crisis and reach a new four-party deal – between the EU, Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands – that safeguards the future of the mackerel stock.
“The MSC has a valuable role to play in informing consumers and producers about sustainably sourced fish. Indeed, Scottish mackerel was the first large scale European fishery to achieve this sought after seal of approval, while our North Sea Haddock is also now MSC-approved.”
Ian Gatt, chief executive of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association, said: “We welcome the Scottish Government’s intervention and are pleased that their objection has been upheld.
“This will send a strong message to the Faroese that their irresponsible actions will not be tolerated because it threatens the sustainability of an important fishery that has been carefully nurtured by Scotland.
“It will also help consumers make informed choices so that they can ensure their mackerel purchases only come from sustainable fisheries such as that responsibly harvested by Scotland.
“We fully support the exacting MSC standard and its tough accreditation scheme where fisheries are extensively scrutinised. It is only right that if a fishery fails to make the standard that it should be exempted from certification.”
The decision follows an oral hearing and further submissions by the certifier, fishery client and the objectors, Marine Scotland.
The MSC said this was the independent adjudicator’s final decision and no further appeal or objection is permitted within MSC’s assessment process.
In 2010 the Faroes set a mackerel quota of 85,000 tonnes, more than three times their previous total allowable catch, and it is anticipated they will set an even higher catch for 2011.
The MSC is a global organisation that works to promote the best environmental choice in seafood and provides a fishery certification program that recognises and rewards sustainable fishing.
The value of mackerel to the Scottish economy was £135 million in 2009 - the fleet's most valuable stock – and directly supports around 2,500 jobs.
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