Creel fishing project welcomed

Jan 31 2013

Pioneering research which could lead to more sustainable fishing while also collecting crucial data for marine renewables has been welcomed by local fishermen in Scotland.

The four-year project in the waters around Orkney will focus on the local creel fishing industry.

Tens of thousands of brown crabs will be electronically tagged, as will many juvenile lobsters, allowing for rigorous assessment of stock to help create a more sustainable fishery.

Wave and tidal energy projects may also benefit because local boats will be fitted with GPS to help map the seabed in more detail.

It is hoped that by combining the research in these two areas the fishing and marine renewables industries will have greater understanding of each other and work together in future.

The project will be carried out by local fishing fleets and marine researchers, under the guidance of scientists at Heriot-Watt Orkney Campus.

The Crown Estate is committing £80,000 to the research for the first year and will review its contribution after that. Funds are also coming from Marine Scotland.

Money from the Crown Estate is part of its £5.7 million Enabling Actions scheme which helps the development of wave and tidal projects around the Pentland Firth and Orkney.

Stewart Crichton, from Orkney Fishermen's Society Ltd, said: "We're delighted to be involved in this innovative and ground-breaking research project. The key driver from the fishing industry side is the need to demonstrate to our customers and end-consumers that we are conducting our fishery harvest strategy in a manner which is conducive to the long-term health of the fishery.

"The emerging marine energy sector has a need for good-quality primary data on the inshore fisheries in the Pentland Firth and Orkney water. By combining the needs of the two sectors in one piece of research, we are able to achieve synergies and deliver greater value for money."