Orkney Creel Fishery achieves a world first! The Orkney creel fishery has become the first fishery in the world to be recognised and certified against the Community Catch Standard for Small Scale Fisheries, marking a landmark moment for responsible, transparent and community-led seafood sourcing.
The achievement was celebrated at a special event on July 10th 2026 in the capital Kirkwall, bringing together fishers, seafood businesses, community representatives, sustainability leaders, policymakers and media, to recognise the people and partnerships behind this global first. Guests heard from those directly involved in achieving the certification and learn how the Community Catch model can inspire similar initiatives around the world.
Community Catch certification recognises organisations that demonstrate strong standards in responsible sourcing, traceability, labour rights, community benefit and stewardship of marine resources. By securing the certification, Orkney creel fishery is setting a new benchmark for how seafood can be harvested, handled and celebrated in a way that supports both people and place.
The Community Catch Standard, which was launched in May 2025, is specifically developed for small-scale fisheries, because in promoting sustainable practices that help to maintain fish populations, promote crew welfare and protect marine ecosystems, it empowers communities to connect to new markets that historically may have been out of reach.
Linda Wood, CEO of Community Catch said:
“As the first small-scale fishery in the world to achieve this certification, the Orkney creel fishery is showing what is possible when environmental responsibility, social responsibility, and community benefit go hand in hand. We are very proud of what the Orkney Creel fishery has achieved and would like to thank them for their dedication, commitment and determination to seek the recognition they deserve as a small-scale fishery in partnership with Community Catch. This milestone offers a practical and inspiring example for coastal communities, seafood supply chains and consumers everywhere.”
The Orkney creel fishery employs around 85% of Orkney’s 100+ local boats to catch high-value shellfish, many of whom belong to the Orkney Fisheries Association. Targeted species include brown crab, European lobster, and velvet crab.
Alistair Buchan, CEO of the Orkney Fisheries Association said:
“Revamped approaches to marketing and accreditation are key elements of our plans to rejuvenate the industry in Orkney and our efforts are gaining momentum through results on the ground. The Association is working hard on building key partnerships, and we are delighted to work in close collaboration with Orkney Crab, who are committed members of our organisation and who have provided excellent leadership on Community Catch.
“Our skippers have put in a lot of effort to get us to this point, so it is very satisfying to be able to mark the key milestone by receiving this recognition.”
Orkney Crab, part of the PDK Group, which specialises in the export of live shellfish from their headquarters in Oban, Argyll, have led this process on behalf of the wider creel fishery. They process much of the product, some of which is sold into premium UK retailers and export markets. Paul Knight acquired the company in 2023 and immediately committed to putting the creel fishery through the exacting certification process.
Paul Knight, Managing Director of Orkney Crab and the PDK Group said:
“I am truly passionate about the shellfish industry and am exceptionally proud and honoured that Orkney Crab has played a significant role in helping to get Community Catch recognition for the Orkney creel fishery, and of course, for Orkney Crab Ltd. To be first in the world to have gained accreditation to this Standard is an exceptional feat for all the Orkney fishermen and an amazing achievement for us. I personally want to thank all those involved in the process and am delighted that everyone’s hard work and dedication has achieved this result.
“It is also a tremendous opportunity to continue to promote the outstanding world-wide brand recognition that Orkney has. We look forward with excitement to exploring the potential new opportunities this accreditation could bring to all Orkney stakeholders.”
Dr. Gemma Quilez-Badia, Technical Manager, Food Production at NSF said:
“This certification is a significant milestone for small-scale fisheries and for responsible seafood sourcing. Through independent third-party assessment, NSF has verified that the Orkney creel fishery meets the Community Catch Standard’s requirements for environmental stewardship, responsible fishing practices, labour rights due diligence, health and safety, and social responsibility.
“What makes this achievement especially important is that it shows robust, credible assurance can be applied in a practical way for community-based fisheries. Certification gives buyers greater confidence in the seafood they source, while recognising the commitment of fishing communities such as Orkney to transparent and responsible practices.”
Ruth Hoban, Fisheries and Aquaculture Manager at Marks and Spencer said:
“Congratulations to the Orkney Creel Fishery on becoming the first fishery certified to the Community Catch standard. Through our Forever Fish programme, M&S is proud to support initiatives that help small-scale fisheries showcase responsible environmental and social practices, while celebrating the important role they play in coastal communities. This is a brilliant achievement for the fishery and the Community Catch team.”
Image: Community Catch