Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) is the most important demersal fish species to Scottish Fishermen. There are three stocks of haddock, North Sea, West coast and Rockall which contribute to Scottish landings. In 2008 approximately 29,500 tonnes of haddock were landed into Scotland, worth £32.7 million. Haddock accounts for around 35% of all demersal whitefish landings into Scotland.

The North Sea fishery is by far the most significant; around 90% of haddock is landed into North Sea ports. A variety of types of trawl nets and seine nets are used to catch haddock. Its commercial significance is well recognised and the Scottish industry is currently taking North Sea haddock through Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) assessment against its standard for environmental and sustainable

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