This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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West Coast fish merchant nets online sales
10/08/2005
An award winning Scottish fish merchant explained today
how marketing methods have helped make his business more
profitable.
These methods are outlined in the recently published
Scottish Sea Fisheries Sustainable Framework.
Andy Race Fish Merchants in Mallaig has been supplying
some of Scotland's most prestigious hotels for over 25
years by mail order.
To meet growing demand, the company cast its net even
wider in the mid-nineties by starting to trade online.
Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie visited the fish
merchant's premises today. He praised their approach to
producing and marketing a quality product, by saying:
"The progressive and forward looking ethos adopted by
Andy Race Fish Merchants demonstrates what the Sea
Fisheries Sustainable Framework can achieve.
"By pro-actively marketing their produce using modern
technology this firm has created a new e-market, which has
made their well managed business even more profitable and
sustainable.
"After a number of difficult years, the time is right
for this sector to take greater control of its future.
"What has been achieved here in Mallaig should be
considered an example of what can be achieved by more in
the sea fisheries industry."
The Sea Fisheries Strategy was launched on July 28 2005.
It aims for a sustainable, profitable and well-managed sea
fisheries industry in Scotland. An Advisory Group will be
established to firm up the framework and decide how it
should be taken forward. The following key initiatives
could make up the framework:
1. SUSTAINABLE
Safeguarding fish stocks through the phased
implementation of a more sustainable approach to fisheries
management on a stock by stock basis which will aim for
more stable stock levels, overseen by the new Advisory
Group.
Encouraging environmentally responsible fishing,
including through accreditation schemes, environmentally
friendly fishing techniques and technologies and fishing
closures and restrictions to protect important areas of
marine habitat. As part of our Marine Strategy.
Assessing a more integrated approach to marine
management, including further marine legislation in UK and
Scottish Parliaments.
Considering the use of marine spatial planning and
Marine Protected Areas to complement existing fisheries
management tools.
Enhancing sound fisheries science in Scotland through
enhanced collaboration between Fisheries Research Services
the industry and key stakeholders, and other centres of
fisheries science expertise in Scotland.
Building on world class Scottish marine science, through
Industry/Science partnerships and a "Virtual Fisheries
Science Institute."
Working to modernise the international science advisory
process on fisheries overseen by the International
Convention for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES).
Developing socio-economic expertise to complement
biological sciences, building on the development of fleet
modelling by the Seafish Industry Authority.
2. PROFITABLE
Promoting business efficiency and market focus in sea
fishing businesses and across the sea fisheries supply
chain.
Working with the industry to develop commercial
strategies for key stocks, overseen by the new Advisory
Group.
Ensuring a coherent package of support from SEERAD,
Seafish and the Enterprise Networks for sea fishing
businesses to be successful. Establishing a Sea Fisheries
Business Forum to improve the co-ordination of economic
development support to sea fisheries businesses and ensure
their needs are met.
Supporting sea fishing communities to continue with the
business of sea fishing as well as to diversify through
Community Planning Partnerships.
3. WELL MANAGED
Ensuring there is an influential voice for the industry
and other stakeholders in fisheries management at Scotland,
UK and international levels.
Supporting the Regional Advisory Councils to be
effective.
Devising better, more effective and more regionally
focused fisheries regulations.
Achieving Better Regulation of the sector by:
- Modernising quota management in the UK, through a
wide ranging review. o Improving effort controls, to
ensure effective conservation with flexible and fair
arrangements. Enhancing effective enforcement,
- through a major programme of enforcement measures
pre and post landing, including satellite tracking,
administrative penalties, the introduction of the
Registration of Buyers and Sellers of fish to improve
traceability and closer working relationships with
other regulatory authorities. o by advocating more
consistent standards of enforcement across the EU, and
supporting the harmonisation of enforcement standards
through the Community Fisheries Control Agency.