Shetland’s world-leading sustainable seafood hailed by Fisheries Secretary
2012 03 14
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Shetland’s inshore shellfish industry was congratulated today (14 March 2012) by Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead for their ‘outstanding achievement’ as three of their main fisheries - King Scallop, Velvet Crab and Brown Crab became the first of their kind globally to achieve the prestigious Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification as sustainable and well-managed fisheries.
This is a significant development for an industry which is currently worth at least £7 million to the Shetland economy.
The certificate was presented by Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead at seafood restaurant Ondine in Edinburgh. Guests enjoyed a luxury Shetland shellfish lunch, specially prepared by chef and owner Roy Brett, who is renowned for his commitment to sourcing MSC seafood.
Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “The clear, pristine waters surrounding Shetland produce some of the highest quality and most delicious seafood anywhere in the world. Therefore I’m delighted that the Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation has been able to achieve Marine Stewardship Council certification for their King Scallops and Brown and Velvet Crab – a world first.
“MSC certification illustrates that Shetland King Scallops and Brown and Velvet Crab meet the ultimate sustainability standards and it is an outstanding achievement for Shetland. Scotland now has eight MSC certified fisheries and a further six in the full assessment process – covering more than 50 per cent of the value of our landings. This demonstrates our strong and ongoing commitment to supplying consumers with premium and sustainable seafood options.”
Roy Brett added: “This proves we are at a very important moment in Scotland in terms of safeguarding the sea for future generations. I’m just back from Abu Dhabi where I also saw change underway in terms of protecting fish and shellfish. Here – and there, fishermen, their families and their communities are working together with Government, environmentalists and scientists, to give our seas a real chance to recover. We all have a part to play.”
The independent assessment process took 15 months to complete and was co-ordinated by the Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation (SSMO) in partnership with NAFC Marine Centre UHI. Financial assistance for progressing the certification was provided by The Co-operative’s £200,000 Sustainable Fishing Fund that is supporting fisheries across the UK through MSC assessments, as well as the Resource Legacy Fund.
Jennifer Mouat from SSMO explained: “We are delighted to have achieved this certification which recognises that Shetland shellfish has something unique to offer consumers. We are proud to be the only fishery in the world to have the MSC label for Brown and Velvet Crab and King Scallops.
“It has taken over a year to get here and it has been a rigorous process – but the results are fantastic and well-deserved. The certification marks an independent measure of success and demonstrates our long-term commitment to the sustainability of the species and the stocks in Shetland’s inshore waters.
“In Shetland we have a regulating order allowing us to self-manage out to the six-mile limit and have amassed 12 years worth of data, which is very unusual for inshore fisheries. Working in partnership with the NAFC Marine Centre UHI has been integral to our success as we were able to collect a comprehensive data set on the main species within Shetland’s waters. As a result this meant that we could push for three species to be assessed together.”
The assessment was carried out by independent certifier FCI International. The report identified the comprehensive management as a crucial factor in the successful assessment. The process has also enabled SSMO to further develop management within the MSC framework.
Claire Pescod, the MSC’s Fisheries Outreach Manager for the UK & Ireland said: “I’d like to congratulate the Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation on this great achievement – three world firsts. The certification of the three Shetland fisheries demonstrates a real commitment to sustainability and rewards the hard work of the fishermen and all those involved in contributing to Shetland’s sustainable and well managed inshore scallop, brown and velvet crab fisheries. MSC certified Shetland scallops, brown and velvet crabs are eagerly awaited by the UK foodservice sector to help meet the growing consumer demand for sustainably sourced seafood and I look forward to seeing them on menus soon.”
Head of Marine Science and Technology at NAFC Marine Centre, Dr Martin Robinson, said:
“This is an excellent model for what can be achieved when science and industry work closely together in practical and highly applied terms. The result has required consideration of stock, environment, interactions and the communities that exploit them, providing an example of a more realistic, holistic, ‘ecosystem’ type approach to management.”
John Atkinson, environment adviser for The Co-operative said: “As a leading retailer of sustainable seafood, we have committed substantial funds to improve the sustainability of the UK fishing industry. We are delighted that the three fisheries have attained the MSC standard, providing an increased choice for consumers of sustainable seafood.”
Source Shetland Shellfish Management
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