Carmichael welcomes world-first Orkney creel fishery accreditation

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today welcomed news that the Orkney creel fishery has achieved a world-first accreditation with the Community Catch Standard. Mr Carmichael has lodged a parliamentary motion in recognition of the certification, recognising it as an important benchmark for the fishing industry.

Mr Carmichael is Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Fisheries, which is currently developing a Fisheries Action Plan for the future of the industry.

Mr Carmichael said:

“I am delighted that the Orkney creel fishery has achieved this world-first certification with the Community Catch Standard. It is a testament to the hard work of many people in the community that we have reached this point and I pay tribute to the Orkney Crab Company and Orkney Fisheries Association in particular for the efforts they have put in to deliver this accreditation.

“It reinforces a point that is well recognised by anyone who works in and around the fishing sector in the isles: it is in all our interests for fishing to be a sustainable and ethical industry for generations to come. I hope that this can be the basis for further successful accreditations for the fishing industry in the isles and across the UK in the years to come.”