CARMICHAEL WELCOMES WORLD-FIRST ORKNEY CREEL FISHERY ACCREDITATION

Carmichael welcomes world-first Orkney creel fishery accreditation. Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has welcomed news that the Orkney creel fishery has achieved a world-first accreditation with the Community Catch Standard. Mr Carmichael has lodged a parliamentary motion in recognition of the certification, recognising it as an important benchmark for the fishing industry.

Mr Carmichael is Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Fisheries, which is currently developing a Fisheries Action Plan for the future of the industry.

Mr Carmichael said:

“I am delighted that the Orkney creel fishery has achieved this world-first certification with the Community Catch Standard. It is a testament to the hard work of many people in the community that we have reached this point and I pay tribute to the Orkney Crab Company and Orkney Fisheries Association in particular for the efforts they have put in to deliver this accreditation.

“It reinforces a point that is well recognised by anyone who works in and around the fishing sector in the isles: it is in all our interests for fishing to be a sustainable and ethical industry for generations to come. I hope that this can be the basis for further successful accreditations for the fishing industry in the isles and across the UK in the years to come.”

Text of Early Day Motion below:

That this House congratulates the Orkney creel fishery for achieving a world-first accolade in being certified against the Community Catch Standard for small scale fisheries; notes that the accreditation is intended to mark high standards for responsible, transparent and community-led seafood sourcing, and recognises organisations that demonstrate strong standards in responsible sourcing, traceability, labour rights, community benefit, and stewardship of marine resources; recognises that assessment of the fishery was carried out independently by NSF, the global certification and assurance organisation; and believes that such accreditation can be an important benchmark for sustainable and economically beneficial fisheries practice in coastal communities across the United Kingdom.

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