London - The Scottish Pelagic Sustainability Group'smackerel fishery was awarded MSC certification today marking it as a sustainable and well-managed fishery. Industry leaders have described the group's successful certification as "...a considerable accomplishment by fisheries managers, government and scientists in improving the management and prosecution of the stocks, to achieve MSC certification."

The SPSG mackerel fishery is Scotland's most valuable fishery and also its largest, catching 95,700MT of mackerel in 2007. Its sister fishery, SPSG herring, was certified in July 2008. Smoked, frozen and fresh mackerel will soon be on sale bearing the MSC logo meaning that it can be traced back to the independently certified SPSG fishery.

John Goodlad, Chair of SPSG is delighted that the work put in over the past few years to ensure the mackerel stocks are fished in a sustainable manner have resulted in MSC certification. "This is another defining moment for the Scottish pelagic industry as it establishes its environmentally responsible credentials," he says.

In recognition of the SPSG's achievement, Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead comments: "This is a welcome boost and further evidence that one of our most valuable stocks is being managed sustainably."

"The fact our fishermen will be able to land extra mackerel next year is just reward for their efforts in driving forward tough conservation measures. Mackerel was worth almost £80 million last year, but is worth many times more than that when the economic spin-offs from the mackerel processing industry are taken into account."

"Coming hard on the heels of the reopening of the Russian market to fish processing companies in Scotland, the award will help further enhance the reputation of our wonderful seafood."

Rupert Howes, Chief Executive of the MSC says: "I took great pleasure last year in joining the SPSG members in Peterhead last year to celebrate the certification of their first fishery – the SPSG herring fishery – and I am delighted that the mackerel fishery has now been certified. This is an important UK fishery producing significant quantities of fish for an international market. The SPSG fleet boasts some of the most advanced pelagic trawlers in the world including low-emission diesel engines, selective sonar and the latest developments in net technology. We look forward to further engagement with the Scottish fishing industry." Click here to view the certificate .