The Herring Buyers Association Ltd has just received approval from Companies House to change its name to the Scottish Pelagic Processors Association Ltd (SPPA) and will be know by that title with immediate effect.

Formed in 1976, the original association represented the needs of the pelagic processing sector, at a time when herring constituted the main part of the catch.

“For a company to be a member it had to purchase herring, but the supply situation has now changed and in volume and value, mackerel is the largest catch for members. They also process and market other types of pelagic fish including blue whiting, sprats and sardines, so the directors felt it was more appropriate to make this clear in our name.” explained Chairman Ian McFadden.

Membership of the SPPA is wholly based in Scotland, as is the majority of the UK pelagic fleet, and includes all the major Scottish Pelagic Processors: Caley Fisheries, Croan Seafoods, Denholm Seafoods, Fresh Catch, and International Fish Canners. Lunar Freezing, Macrae, Nor Sea Foods, Shetland Catch, Shetland Fish Products, and United Fish Industries. These companies supply a wide range of products, from smoked and canned fish to UK retailers, wholesalers and fishmongers, to block frozen bulk packs supplied via reefers to major export customers.

SFS has teamed up with organisers of the 6^th World Fisheries Congress to offer an exciting competition that encourages school children to learn more about the relationship between scientists and fisheries, and how this helps to protect the marine ecosystem.  

Pupils of high schools and primary schools taking part in Seafood Scotland’s ‘Seafood in Schools’ pilot project, are being asked to design a t-shirt for delegates at the Congress, which will be held in Edinburgh in May 2012. The design must illustrate the association between seafood and science.

Prizes for the competition are sponsored by Seafish and include £1000 worth of science equipment for the winning high school and £500 of equipment for the winning primary school.   The pupil responsible for the overall winning design will receive a presentation t-shirt at the Congress, followed by a VIP visit to Deep Sea World at South Queensferry.   A runner-up will be presented with their own design on a t-shirt and also visit the aquarium.

Jon Harman, Seafish Director of Development said: “Seafish is committed to improving awareness and understanding about the importance of the seafood industry amongst all consumers, young and old. This competition is a creative, innovative way of encouraging school children to get excited about fisheries and science, so we are delighted to offer our support. This is a great way to make learning fun, and to ensure that the pupils gain a sense of how science is being applied in real life to protect our marine ecosystem for the future.”

The winning pupil’s school will receive a visit and lecture from marine expert Professor Mike Kaiser of Bangor University, and Vice-President of the World Fisheries Congress. “We’re excited about working with Seafood Scotland to help children understand the important role of a healthy and biodiverse marine environment in providing the fish we love to eat. Education is a key tool in helping us achieve sustainable use of our seas,” he said.

Libby Woodhatch, CEO of Seafood Scotland said: “We are pleased to work with Professor Kaiser and his team on this competition. The design brief asks pupils to show an understanding of the need for marine and freshwater fisheries and aquaculture to feed the world, and to demonstrate the link between science and fisheries. Investigating this will give them a greater insight into the issue of sustainable seafood, which is one of the main aims of our Seafood in Schools programme. We look forward to seeing a high calibre of entries and have already had indication from a number of schools that they will encourage pupils to enter.”

For more information about the competition and details of how to enter please download the document here:Competition Flyer.pdf