Four north-east seafood processors have achieved what is believed to be a world first in attaining a highly-prized endorsement of their commitment to responsible fishing.
Aberdeen firms Colin Fraser and RW Henderson, together with Sustainable Seafoods Peterhead and Fraserburgh’s G&J Jack Seafoods gained their Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) chain of custody accreditation through their membership of the Scottish Seafood Association (SSA).
The move is expected to increase the supply of MSC-certified Scottish produce throughout the UK supply chain and help meet growing consumer demand for sustainable seafood.
SSA development officer Michael Bates said: “We are the first group of its kind in the UK to achieve this award and according to MSC the first in the world.
“By achieving this accreditation, we can help increase the availability of MSC Scottish haddock to consumers throughout the UK and abroad.
“As other species, such as cod, undergo and achieve MSC accreditation, processors who are already MSC-certified will immediately be able to promote and sell the fish.”
SSA chairman David Leiper added: “Receiving MSC certification for SSA is a fantastic thing and it just shows that the industry is moving forward and becoming more sustainable. It’s a really positive step forward for the industry in Scotland.”
MSC is an international non-profit organisation that was set up to tackle unsustainable fishing practices and safeguard seafood supplies for the future.
Its chain of custody scheme has traditionally been used for individual seafood suppliers, but new versions for group and consumer-facing organisations – selling directly to final consumers, such as restaurants, fishmongers and fresh fish counters – were recently introduced.
Claire Pescod, UK and Ireland fisheries outreach manager, MSC, said: “It’s great to see the SSA help their members achieve MSC certification and meet the growing demand for sustainable seafood.
“We set up the group scheme to provide a more cost-effective way for a number of organisations to join forces and benefit from economies of scale.
“I hope we’ll see many more SSA members taking advantage of it over the coming months. I’m looking forward to seeing more MSC-certified Scottish haddock and saithe available to buy in UK fish and chip shops and restaurants.”
North Sea cod recently entered the assessment process to become an MSC-certified fishery.
That move was organised by a coalition of fishing organisations, supermarkets, seafood brands and seafood industry body Seafish following a major effort to improve the stock by UK fishers.
It could lead to North Sea cod becoming MSC-certified within 18 months, putting it back on the menu for ethically-minded shoppers and diners who have avoided the fish for more than a decade because of overfishing concerns.
