Where is meaningful and united action?
John Cox Scottish Seafood Association
David Linkie
John Cox, Chief Executive of the Scottish Seafood Association, told Fishing News on Peterhead market, “The weak levels of demand for whitefish and low market prices currently being experienced will only be addressed by cohesive strategies developed through the full involvement of all key players.
“Everyone in catching/processing chain needs each other, time to unite, not criticise. In this time of crisis those people who are trying to deliver meaningful actions are being criticised as a distraction.
“Following their recent restructuring, the time is right for Seafish to adapt a more proactive role in terms of promoting Scottish caught whitefish, as well as all other types of seafood.
“Even though ever increasing quantities of whitefish are present in the waters around Scotland, including cod, our industry is currently under threat from a number of different directions, including poorly informed but still adverse publicity, the economic recession and cheaper imports.
“Although none of these factors materialised overnight, the industry has not been anywhere near positive enough in the last 18 months to offset their potential impact, which in going unimposed for too long, is now being felt in full.
“Rather than always being left to react to challenging situations as they develop, it is vitally important that Seafish and other external bodies take a much more proactive stance. Scottish fishermen in recent years have led from the front in terms of developing new gear and embracing various pioneering spatial measures, including RTCs. Similarly processors have worked hard to expand sales opportunities, at a time when their efforts were continually threatened by ever worsening financial and trading difficulties.
“Our Association members are in need of urgent help to cope with a flood of more fish onto the markets, but as ever, we are left in the position of having to play catch-up from a standing start, rather than having the strategies already in place, which would perhaps have prevented the current situation from reaching the level of crisis it has.
“One of several myths in the industry at present concerns the view that banning imports and imposing sanctions will solve current problems which is a substantial over-simplification of the present situation. That most shellfish, together with higher value species like monkfish and langoustine are all exported, demonstrates the all too prevalent shoot from the hip and reactionary approach that has contributed to many of the challenges our industry faces today.
“The Scottish Seafood Association believes waiting for all those involved in supporting the food industry nationally and internationally to come out of their bunkers is a day too long. Some organisations were tasked to produce action plans last year and nothing has transpired. A ‘Catching for the Market’ report costing thousands to produce has not seen the light of day for two years.
“Over the next few weeks we, along with individual fishermen, who are working with the association where there is common ground, will be meeting with key catering companies. we will be able to present all the facts and provide evidence that there would be benefits for all in getting more local caught seafood on dishes for their customers to counter the don’t eat fish campaigners. However effective such initiatives are a more strategic approach from within the industry and others involved would give the potential for greater impact. As an example Aberdeenshire Council is working very closely with processors and by joining up where all other resources are a lot more could be achieved in a short time.
“In addition to whitefish prices, it is imperative that thinking is focused now on the impact that the move towards eliminating discards will inevitably have on the processing sector. Here again, meaningful dialogue with processors is essential, as they need time to implement the restructuring needed, which cannot be achieved overnight.
“At a time when the public have never been more acutely aware of what they are eating, stating the provenance of seafood is a must. Rather than selling fish & chips, suppers should be labelled as Scottish haddock, cod etc. - display information that could then be monitored by Trading Standards officers to prevent mis-labelling.”
