The Scottish pelagic industry is committed to sustainable fisheries. In order to evidence this the Scottish Pelagic Sustainability Group was established in 2007 with the principal aim of this grouping to secure independent accreditation of the main fisheries. The North Sea herring and Western mackerel fisheries were entered immediately into Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) assessment.

The MSC standard uses an objective and scientifically verifiable method of assessing the sustainability of fisheries. It is based on the United Nations Food and Agriculture Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. The certification process evaluates the following three key principles:

1. 1. The status of the target fish stock or stocks: The fishery must be conducted in a way that does not lead to overfishing or depletion of target stocks

1. 2. The impact of the fishery on the marine ecosystem: Fishing operations must be undertaken in a manner that minimises fishery-related impacts to the ecosystem on which the fishery depends

1. 3. Performance of fishery management systems: The fishery must be subject to an effective management system that promotes responsible and sustainable fishing

The North Sea herring fishery was certified in July 2008 with the Western mackerel fishery following on January 2009. Most recently the Atlanto-Scandian herring fishery was certified in March 2010.

Furthermore, the Scottish pelagic industry will seek to explore the potential benefit of any programmes or projects which promote and enhance the marine ecosystem and environment as a whole, thus reducing the environmental impact and footprint the fleet may have during fishing operations.

In particular pelagic vessels will:

• - Follow practices that minimise the emissions of dangerous substances during all fishing activities. As an absolute minimum, vessels will meet national standards but will endeavour to operate at a level promoting best practice.
• - Optimise energy consumption in all fishing operations.
• - Consider programmes/projects and new technologies to optimise fuel consumption and other practices to save energy.
• - Follow good fishing practices which minimise gear loss and make every effort to follow procedures/protocols to mark and report lost gear. Wherever possible vessels will make every effort to retrieve lost gear and to retrieve any redundant gear which may become apparent during fishing activity. All such gear will be taken to shore and disposed of through a safe and recognised route.
• - Vessels will have a waste management plan in place onboard and will communicate and implement the plan during all operations.

Because pelagic trawling takes place in mid-water, the capture and collection of marine litter rarely occurs. Nevertheless, the Scottish pelagic industry recognises the importance of bringing back to shore any litter or debris trawled up and has therefore endorsed the KIMO Fishing for Litter scheme and recommended that all members sign up.