Launch of the Community Catch Standard for Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries. Community Catch is proud to announce the launch of its Social and Environmental Standard for Small-Scale Fisheries, following an extensive programme of development, trials, workshops and public consultations.
Developed by our executive team, in consultation with a multi-stakeholder advisory group, the Standard has undergone fourteen alpha trials and five in-depth beta trials with small-scale fisheries around the globe. Five separate Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) were used in the trials to validate the performance of each fishery against the standard. Fishers welcomed the ease with which their third-party evaluation audits are accessed through a digital platform, which tracks progress through to certification.
The Standard was also praised for its affordability, as well as for the rigours of its requirements related to biodiversity, fishery management, labour rights, animal welfare and fisher health and safety. In particular, fisheries appreciated the option of a worker voice survey, provided in partnership with Ulula, which can be used as part of the evaluation process.
Andy Hough, co-founder of Community Catch said:
“Our aim was to develop an initiative exclusively for small scale fisheries that would provide the necessary support, guidance and tools to help them achieve improved market access through the demonstration of environmentally sustainable and socially responsible management of their fisheries. As part of the development process, we are working towards being officially recognised by GSSI, the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative, which is a requirement of many corporate buyers.”
The certification process for fisheries is straightforward. It starts with undertaking a self-assessment against the standard and attaching evidence of compliance against all the requirements. A CAB then verifies whether the fishery can be certified or if gaps in compliance exist. If improvements are necessary to address any gaps, fisheries can enter into a Community Catch Fishery Improvement Project (CCFIP) with recognition provided on both the Community Catch and Fishery Progress websites. Only when the requirements of all parts of the standard have been met, can the fishery be certified.
The West of Scotland Nephrops (or langoustine) fishery took part in one of the trials and is committed to being one of the first fisheries to enter Community Catch.
Kevin McDonnell, West of Scotland Fish Producers’ Organisation CEO said:
“Scottish Fishermen’s Organisation CEO John Anderson and I were given an initial presentation about Community Catch, and both immediately felt that it would be a good fit for our Nephrops fisheries on the West of Scotland. These are small in scale and very much embedded within their local communities, which is something that runs through the Community Catch ethos.
“Further discussions led to us agreeing that both our organisations would participate in trialling the standard against our fisheries. Following the trials, we are still firmly of the opinion that Community Catch represents the best way forward for our smaller scale fisheries to achieve certification.
“We look forward to working with the Community Catch team over the coming weeks and months, as we seek to formally have our West of Scotland Nephrops fisheries certified under the Community Catch standard.”
Community Catch is a membership organisation, and any fishery can enter the certification process for free. The only requirement is to pay the CAB for the verification process, together with any expenses needed to bring a fishery up to standard. Fisheries needing to form a Community Catch FIP may be able to find sponsorship through the supply chain.
It is also a requirement that individuals and businesses in the supply chain join Community Catch as a member, as part of the Chain of Custody (CoC) procedure, with annual fees ranging from a modest £200 for small organisations, to a maximum of £10,000 for the largest. Fees are based on company turnover and are offered with a 50% discount for the financial year 2025/26. No logo licensing royalties are currently payable, although this may be reviewed in the future.
Chain of Custody audits are easily bolted onto audits for existing certifications such as Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Certified Seafood International (CSI).
A number of processors and retailer organisations have already come onboard, including Marks & Spencer, Migros, Woolworths, and Fish 4 Ever.
“A major benefit of Community Catch for small scale fisheries around the world is the ability to access new markets through our international trade network, and we will work hard to expand this as more fisheries gain certification. Access to networking, collaboration and knowledge exchange is also available through the programme, opening new horizons for many small coastal communities, and helping to keep people in local employment,” Hough said.