Scottish trust supports fisheries conservation projects

Scottish fleet fishing vessels. (Photo Credit: SSF)

UNITED KINGDOM
Wednesday, September 03, 2014, 02:50 (GMT + 9)
The Scottish Fishermen’s Trust (SFT) has awarded grants in excess of GBP 100,000 (USD 166,000) so far this year for a diverse range of fisheries science and conservation projects.

Many of these projects support initiatives that have come directly from Scottish fishermen looking to increase their understanding of Scotland's fish stocks and promote their conservation, including the use of more selective fishing gears.

Awards made so far in 2014 include:

• The Scottish Association of Fish Producers Organisations initiative to collect, collate and communicate discards information;
• A new approach to estimating mackerel biomass being developed by the University of Aberdeen;
• Gear selectivity trials initiated by Jimmy Buchan, skipper of Amity II;
• Supporting the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation’s contribution towards analysing the data collected in the North Sea Stock Survey; and
• A lobster v-notching scheme run by the Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation.

SFT was established by the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) in 2000 with the aim of providing public benefit by promoting the protection and conservation of the marine environment. It also promotes and encourages the health, safety and training of fishermen. Since its establishment it has awarded grants of more than GBP 700,000 (USD 1.16 million) in support of such projects.

"We are delighted at the large number of worthwhile projects we are supporting this year and are impressed by the dynamism and enthusiasm of our fishermen in instigating these initiatives," said James Brown, SFT chairman.
"Knowledge is all-empowering and these projects will make a significant contribution in helping improve our understanding of the marine environment and the fisheries they support," he added.

Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the SFF, added: "The diversity of projects being supported by the Trust this year is most impressive. It underlines the importance our fishermen attach to ensuring healthy marine ecosystems and the sustainable harvesting of a much valued food resource."