News / Pelagic industry up for global award
THE SCOTTISH Pelagic Sustainability Group (SPSG) has been shortlisted for a prestigious global seafood award recognising the industry’s role in establishing sustainable fishing practices.
The winner will be chosen from 15 finalists and announced on 7 September at the Seafood Summit, in Hong Kong.
The nomination comes just days after Europe’s largest processor of mackerel and herring, Shetland Catch, was ordered to pay back £1.5 million the company had gained from being involved in Scotland’s largest blackfish scandal between 2002 and 2005.
However, in fining the company an additional £150,000, high court judge Lord Turnbull acknowledged that the pelagic industry had turned a corner and admitted that he was impressed by the company’s involvement in SPSG.
On Tuesday Shetland Catch chairman John Goodlad, who also chairs the pelagic sustainability group, said the nomination was a “fantastic endorsement” that demonstrated the industry had left the past behind it.
“Reaching the final of this award is recognition that we are now leading the way in sustainable fishing practices.
“It acknowledges all the work SPSG has done in this field, and most importantly recognises the huge endeavours made by the pelagic fleet and processing plants in recent years to transform the way that pelagic fisheries are managed.
“For us, the nomination reflects the turnaround by the pelagic industry, which has created a responsible and sustainable fishery from one where over quota landings were endemic a decade ago.”
Scottish fishing secretary Richard Lochhead added: “Scottish fishermen are fully committed to sustainable fishing practices and the Scottish Pelagic Sustainability Group has led the way for the pelagic sector.
“I’m delighted that the SPSG have been nominated as a finalist at the Seafood Champion awards and wish them all the best for the finals in Hong Kong.”
SPSG represents the Scottish pelagic fleet and processing sector. It was established in 2007 with the aim of promoting sustainable fishing practices.
Over the past four years SPSG has succeeded in securing MSC certification for all four of its fisheries – a combined total of around 220,000 tonnes.
However the accreditation for the north east Atlantic mackerel fishery, the largest of the four, is currently suspended due to the conflict over quota allocation with Faroe and Iceland.
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