Scottish herring fishery wins MSC accreditation

The fish harvested from the fishery – managed by the Scottish Pelagic Sustainability Group (SPSG) – will be eligible to carry the prestigious MSC eco-label. The label certifies that the fish is sourced from a sustainable and well-managed fishery.

Trawlers operated by SPSG members fish herring along the north east coast of Scotland and to the west of the Hebrides. The fishing takes place mainly in August.

The Scottish pelagic industry has now won MSC certification for all is main fisheries. Today’s award marks the third herring fishery to receive the ecolabel.

Accreditation ​

The assessment for the accreditation was carried out by the independent certifier the Food Certification International.

SPSG Chairman, John Goodlad, described the certification as “the last piece in the sustainability jigsaw”.​

He added: “This final certification is very important for the Scottish pelagic industry. It means that 98% of Scottish Pelagic Sustainability Group’s catch of almost 220,000 tons is now MSC certified.”​

SPSG secretary, Ian Gatt, said: “Although this completes the loop in terms of certifying all our main fisheries, the work does not finish here.  The SPSG North Sea herring MSC certification expires in 2013, and in order to provide a seamless transition, SPSG will shortly be entering this fishery again for re-assessment.”​

Increasing demand​
Claire Pescod, MSC fisheries outreach manager, UK and Ireland, said: “I’m delighted to congratulate SPSG on what is now their third fishery certificate for herring. I’m delighted that the MSC process supports a really strong case for their business in meeting the increasing market demand for certified seafood.”​

“All three herring fisheries are now certified giving SPSG a consolidated MSC certified offer to the market. That’s great news for their customers, great news for consumers and great news for the seas,”​ she said.

Fish facts​

• UK is largest stakeholder (59%) in west of Scotland herring fishery.
• This year’s herring quota 13,400t.
• SPSG set up in 2007 to represent all sectors of Scotland’s pelagic industry, from catching and processing, to marketing.