The desire of Scottish fishermen to protect stocks while maintaining viable businesses led to the Conservation Credit Scheme.
The SWFPA was instrumental in driving forward this ground breaking scheme which rewards commitment to sustainable fishing practices.

It was pioneered by the Scottish fleet with nine out of ten vessels signing up voluntarily. The blueprint is now being studied by other nations.
The conservation measures attached to it include real time and seasonal closures to protect cod and modifications to nets so less young cod are caught. SWFPA members continue to trial and develop new discard reduction measures.

Our members are by nature hunters - but they are prepared to hunt within acceptable parameters and these can only be established if stocks are at a healthy level.

Compliance is now total and the industry is involved in extensive efforts to develop ways of reducing its impact on the environment and eliminating unwanted catch.

Our members are some of the most proactive fishers in the world in trying to resolve the issue of unwanted catches.