Representing all sectors of Scotland’s Pelagic Industry
Programmes
Current Initiatives, Policies & Programmes
MSC Programme
North Sea herring is part of the MSC Programme, enabling consumers to make informed choices when purchasing.
Sustainability Policy
SPSG is committed to a sustainable future for our pelagic fisheries. Find out more how we are working towards these goals.
Science Initiatives
Working with a range of stakeholders, SPSG is spearheading scientific research to enhance our knowledge of stocks.
The Scottish Pelagic Sustainability Group
The Scottish Pelagic Sustainability Group (SPSG) was established in 2007 and represents all sectors of Scotland’s pelagic industry, including catching, processing and marketing. SPSG was established to oversee the certification of its main fisheries to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) eco-label standard and is currently driving forward a number of other sustainability initiatives, including onboard data collection. The over-riding aim of SPSG is to ensure that the Scottish pelagic industry is truly sustainable.
The North Sea herring fishery was the first fishery to be certified in 2008.
As well as the MSC programme, SPSG is involved in a range of scientific initiatives to enhance our understanding of pelagic stocks and to ensure informed decisions are made with their management. To aid this process, our Chief Scientific Officer co-ordinates and participates in a range marine science projects and initiatives. This includes the pioneering Scottish Pelagic Industry-Science Data Collection Programme, which has now led to data being used in the scientific assessment process of mackerel, herring and blue whiting.
As well as catch data, pelagic vessels are also currently being used as the platform to gather an array of information by other means, including acoustic surveys and egg surveys.
Oily fish such as mackerel and herring are an incredibly important sustainable and nutritious food resource and SPSG is keen to highlight to consumers the responsible fishing methods used in their harvesting. Research has shown that Scottish caught pelagic fish have an extremely low carbon footprint compared to most other forms of protein production. The pelagic sector supports many jobs and is a significant contributor to the Scottish economy.
SPSG is funded by the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association Ltd, Scottish Pelagic Fish Processors Association Ltd, Scottish Fishermen’s Organisation Ltd, Shetland Fish Producers’ Organisation Ltd, Interfish Fish Producers’ Organisation Ltd, Klondyke Fish Producers’ Organisation Ltd and Lunar Fish Producers’ Organisation Ltd.
Recent Updates
LATEST NEWS
MoU agreed for Scottish pelagic data collection programme
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Data Sharing Agreement has been signed between Scottish Government Ministers acting through the Marine Directorate, the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association (SPFA) and UHI Shetland to coordinate the Scottish...
Seafood podcast, part 2 – the reality of managing fish in an imperfect world
In this Seafood Matters podcast, Dr. Steve Mackinson, chief scientific officer of the SPFA, discusses ecosystem theory, stock assessments, and the reality of managing fish in an imperfect world
Good marks of mackerel encountered by Scottish fleet during January fishery
The traditional January mackerel fishery for the Scottish fleet has now drawn to a close, with the significantly reduced quota for 2026 limiting activity. According to Richard Williamson, co-skipper of the Shetland vessel Research, the scientific stock advice did not...
THE FLEET
Our Fishing Fleet
There are 21 vessels in membership of the Scottish Pelagic Sustainability Group based mainly in the Shetland Isles and the north-east Scottish ports of Peterhead and Fraserburgh.
- The boats are largely family owned.
- The boats work a clean, discard-free fishery.
- The fishery is highly regulated and monitored.
- The harvest is stored in refrigerated seawater tanks to ensure optimum quality.
- The fleet is undergoing constant investment to ensure efficiency and low carbon footprint.
- Our skippers are committed to sustainable catching.
- The fleet supports a large onshore processing sector.
