| Technical Measures | Accreditation | Markets |
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Challenges | In 2006 the TAC for Nephrops was significantly increased. To ensure sustainability, protect the viability of the fishery and the livelihoods of Nephrops fishermen, there is a need for effort control. | Maximise awareness of the sustainability of Scottish Nephrops and increase market opportunities. Capitalise on the 2006 increase in TAC, which signalled the EU's confidence in the current and future harvest of Nephrops in Scottish Waters. | Encourage market and price transparency.
Widen market access, create product identity and promote product awareness.
Remove consumer confusion over product name and origin. |
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Approach and action | Develop a Nephrops permit for <10m vessels which will limit the number of vessels and introduce a maximum number of creels.
Level out fishing activity over the full year by ensuring the <10m fleet does not exceed annual limits by the end of the summer.
Push for flexibility to increase mesh size without incurring a penalty in days at sea. | Encourage fishermen to consider applying for an internationally recognised eco-label certification.
Promote the Seafish Responsible Fishing Scheme to improve buyer confidence.
Assist fishermen and processors to improve the traceability of product from sea to plate. | Investigate electronic buying and selling solutions for Scottish Langoustine.
Work with fishermen and processors to incorporate Langoustine into the Seafood Scotland Advanced Landings Website.
Encourage harbours to develop adequate facilities to enable the auction of Scottish Langoustine. |
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A specialist sub-group including creel and trawl fishermen developed the option of a permit scheme to cap effort. This group will continue to seek support with industry via SIFAG and fisheries administrations to devise a workable permit scheme which is based on local management. | Provide encouragement and source funding for Nephrops fishermen to undertake a pre-assessment audit of their fishery that will indicate their suitability for eco-label certification. | Support and encourage an electronic auction for Scottish Langoustines.
Undertake consumer media awareness campaign on product name and origin.
Provide market price information to fishermen to allow them to make informed decisions over use of Advanced Landing Website. |
Outcomes | - Monthly catch limits for existing <10m boats protected from an increase in effort
- Flexibility to increase mesh sizes to reduce immature catches without days penalties
- Local fishermen to have a greater say over management of their grounds
| - Scottish Nephrops internationally recognised as a sustainable fishery
- Vessels that achieve the Seafish Responsible Fishing Scheme accreditation rewarded with increased buyer confidence
- Global consumer confidence in Scottish Nephrops
| - Greater transparency in the supply chain
- Increased stability in the market price for Scottish Langoustines
- Remote on-line buying and selling of Scottish Langoustines
- Improvement in overall quality of product
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The Commercial Nephrops Strategy is being developed under these three themes which encompass all aspects of the industry. |
Scotland catches the world's largest share of nephrops and Scottish vessels land 75% of the UK quota share.
22,920 tonnes of nephrops worth £57.2 million were landed into Scotland by UK vessels in 2004.
In 2004 it was estimated that around 1000 (between 800-1200 FTE) jobs in the UK processing sector were dependent on nephrops.
Nephrops landed in Scotland are sold on the domestic and overseas markets and are available in whole form or as tails. Whole nephrops can be fresh, frozen or live and are mostly exported overseas. The main export markets for nephrops are Italy, Spain and France. Tailed nephrops are used for scampi production in the domestic market. The average price for whole and tailed nephrops in 2004 was £3,500 per tonne and £1,000 per tonne respectively.
There are a variety of names in use to describe nephrops. This is the scientific name for Norway lobsters (the full name being Nephrops norvegicus) and is generally used by the scientific community and government. Nephrops are known to the Scottish catching and processing sectors as prawns, while the same species is marketed to consumers as langoustines in whole form, and scampi when tailed.
The Scottish Langoustine fishery is one of the most important to the economy and plays a vital role in sustaining fragile coastal communities.
In recognition of its importance, in December 2005 Ross Finnie the Scottish Minister responsible for Fisheries announced the formation of an industry-led Working Group to develop a focussed Commercial Strategy for Scottish Langoustine (Nephrops). This group has been working in conjunction with the Sea Fisheries Advisory and Reference Group ( SeaFAR), which has responsibility for delivery of the overall Sea Fisheries Strategy as set out in the Sustainable Framework for Scottish Sea Fisheries in Summer 2005.
The Working Group is a dynamic body that includes representatives of the Scottish seafood industry. Chaired by Iain MacSween, Chief Executive of the Scottish Fishermen's Organisation, and Chair of Seafood Scotland, its members include:
Seafood Scotland
Scottish Fishermen's Federation
Food and Drink Federation
Scottish Association of Fish Producer Organisations
Western Isles Fishermen's Association
World Wildlife Fund
Fisheries Research Services
This Commercial Strategy will build on the excellent work Seafood Scotland has been undertaking to improve quality practices and set new standards in the industry. The organisation was awarded funding by the Scottish Executive to continue its work and to implement the advice of the Working Group to industry.