As part of its efforts to develop commercial strategies for the scallop, crab and lobster sectors, the Scottish Government has asked Seafood Scotland (SFS) to undertake an in-depth analysis of the three industries. It will include identification of the strengths and weaknesses of the Scottish catching and processing sectors, and the opportunities and threats presented by UK and overseas competitors. The Scottish industry is being surveyed by SFS staff, while a desk study of the competition is contracted to international consultants B2B.

"This work will be steered by and fed into the newly proposed scallop and crab/lobster working groups, which come under the umbrella of the Scottish Fisheries Council," says Libby Woodhatch, CEO of SFS. "The two working groups will include the catching sector, processors, technical and scientific expertise, and the Scottish Government's Marine Directorate."

Jess Sparks, Technical Manager of SFS and Anne Moseley, Market Development Manager, will be contacting fishermen and processors by post, telephone, on-line and in person during the next few weeks, asking for their assistance in filling out a short questionnaire. "It is important that as many people as possible give us their views on each sector, so that we can develop meaningful strategies in which grass roots opinion is taken into account," explains Jess.

According to Libby Woodhatch, the Scottish scallop, crab and lobster sectors face a number of key issues, such as loss of market share and poor prices, together with concerns over their sustainability.. "The surveys will look at all aspects of the industries, including management, science, sustainability of stock, impacts of gear, market positioning and prices, competition, branding, toxin testing, logistics and the supply chain," she states. "The information will be collected in complete confidence and used to help us shape the future direction of the sectors, with the overall aim of making them profitable, well managed and sustainable."

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