Scottish restaurant wins MSC certification

The Captain's Galley located in Scrabster Harbour, on the northern shores of Caithness, has received Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, meaning that the restaurant's customers can now choose certified sustainable Scottish mackerel and herring – identified by the MSC logo on the menu.

The establishment prides itself on sourcing all of its main produce within a 50 mile radius from its own doorstep.

In the near future the restaurant also hopes to source from other Scottish fisheries currently under assessment. Only one other restaurant and one fish and chip shop in Scotland have received this certification to date.

Meanwhile its owners – Sutherland-born husband and wife team Jim and Mary Cowie have won further recognition when they met His Royal Highness, The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay who was in Scrabster on the occasion of the MSC's 10th anniversary.

MSC certification assures restaurants and their customers that the fish they buy can be traced back to a fishery that meets the MSC environmental standard for sustainable fishing. Once a fishery has been certified, all companies in the supply chain - from boat to plate - must have the MSC's Chain of Custody Certification.

Jim, who has worked in the fish trade for 40 years, said: "MSC works hand in glove with our own ethical policy. The organisation is all about sustainability of fish stocks, which has to be important to everyone in the industry. We have got to look to the future.

"The certification is recognition of how we operate our business, supporting others in the industry who agree with our ideals. It is the way forward for the industry because, if we don't do it now, we, and many others, won't have a future.

Claire Pescod, the MSC's Scottish Fisheries Outreach Officer, added: "Scottish fisheries are responsible for the majority of seafood landed in the UK, and the proportion of Scottish fisheries in the MSC programme - either certified or under assessment – has now risen to over 50% by value, a clear indication of the leadership position taken by the Scottish industry and their determination to demonstrate the sustainability of these fisheries resources to the market."

Words: Maria Bracken

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