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Operational Management Instrumental to the sustainable development of the Scottish pelagic industry is the ongoing viability of both businesses and communities from a socio-economic perspective. If this aim is to be achieved, it is of paramount importance that the industry meets these goals whilst operating to the highest standards of maritime and employment safety. Therefore, the Scottish pelagic industry will: • Operate vessels and carry out fishing activity to the highest possible standards of maritime safety. Ensuring that all gear conforms to safety requirements, that regular inspection and scheduled maintenance are carried in addition to statutory inspections paying particular regard to engines and safety equipment. • Provide a safe working environment for all members of crew and any third parties at all times, whilst promoting a friendly and amicable working environment which seeks to encourage strong teamwork. • Ensure that all training needs of fishermen are fully met in terms of the statutory minimum MCA requirements, and furthermore; will strive to provide the best training, education and awareness programmes to the benefit of all members. • Practice a reasonable and mutually respectful attitude to all sea vessels and other users towards the exploited resource and the marine environment as a whole. In particular, where competition for sea space arises whilst working on fishing grounds, amicable agreement or compromise should be sought with other fishing parties to avoid conflicts of interest while paying particular regard to historical rights in the area. The quality of product and marketing opportunities such product will attract are the basis to the success of the industry sector. Therefore all stakeholders of the pelagic industry will constantly work to: • Maintain the highest possible standards of hygiene onboard vessels and through the process chain. • Optimise the conditions in which the fish are caught, held and handled and processed in order to maximise their market value and encourage the widest choice of value adding potential. This will assist in preserving not only quality but additionally the nutritional value of the fish. • Provide advanced landing information concerning quality, size, volume and traceability of the catch in order to maximise processing potential and improve the efficiency of landing activities. • All the processing plants are subject to strict Quality Control procedures laid down by both local Environmental Health Departments and by their customers. |