SCOTTISH MACKEREL FISHERY WINDS UP

Scottish mackerel fishery winds up

The traditional start-of-the-year Scottish mackerel fishery is now winding-up.

The fishing was reported as being productive with good shoals of fish about. At the start of the season, the fishery was concentrated to the west of Orkney, with the last catches being taken west of the Butt of Lewis.

Last month, a new study revealed that Scottish caught pelagic fish such as mackerel have a low carbon footprint compared to other types of food production, making it a good food choice for the environmentally conscious consumer.

This study, just published, “The environmental impacts of pelagic fish caught by Scottish vessels” was carried out by Frances Sandison as part of her PhD studies and funded by the Scottish Pelagic Sustainability Group, Shetland Islands Council, University of Aberdeen, University of the Highlands and Islands, and Shetland Fish Producers’ Organisation.

Her study found that Scottish-caught pelagic fish have a lower carbon footprint and environmental impact when compared to other seafood products. This includes UK farmed salmon, which is 7.2 times higher, and Norwegian caught cod and haddock, which are 3.5 and 3.9 times higher than Scottish caught pelagic fish.