As major stakeholders and the only real custodians of the stocks we view protection of the environment and the wider ecosystem  as our moral responsibility. The health of the seas is our real wealth, not what we land to market.

The Association lends it  support to schemes such as "fishing for litter" under which vessels are encouraged to retain, and return to port, the debris they encounter while at sea.

Our vessels participate in the Sea Fish Authority's "Responsible fishing Scheme" which sets out standards of best practice.  SWFPA liaises extensively with environmental NGO's and, in partnership with WWF, was instrumental in closing an area of Rockall Bank for the protection of cold water corals. The environmental credentials of the fleet is demonstrated by the fact that more than half of all Scottish fisheries are now either Marine Stewardship Council certified or undertaking full assessment, the hallmark of a sustainable and well managed fishery.