Quality of seafood produce is at the heart of daily and long-term decisions at the Port.
Profitability Improved
The most significant study of recent times, The Seafood Scotland 'Quality At Sea Study', shows that the implementation of quality practices on board white fish vessels ultimately impact on the price achieved.
Fishing skippers are increasingly convinced that investing in quality practices will increase profit and many factors influence the price achieved at market. However, the study also shows that to consistently achieve prices well above average, vessels must adopt all of the recommended quality practices.
Price influencing factors:
Weighing at sea achieved significantly higher prices compared to nominal weighing.
On average, haddock catches weighed electronically at sea achieved prices 26% above. For smaller box weights, price per kg are higher than the average landing with a good icing score achieved prices well above average for the day (judged using Seafood Scotland quality scoring system).
There is a price premium for well gutted fish.
Better packed fish achieves above average prices.
Quality System
Construction of the new fish market, part of a £51 investment that included deepening the harbour and strengthening the quayside, underlines Peterhead Port Authority’s commitment to the quality of product being landed and sold, reflecting the findings of a recent study carried out by the Seafish Industry Authority.
This study proved beyond doubt that by meeting the high standards demanded by the consumer and processor through better quality at sea practices, catch prices will usually be higher than average and vessels will recover their investment over a series of landings.
The port is also committed to supporting the Seafish Responsible Fishing Scheme, which certifies high standards of crew welfare and responsible fishing practices, and is pursuing the status of the first ever Responsible Fishing Port in conjunction with Seafish.
Seafood Scotland promotes product on the basis of its superior quality from point of capture throughout the supply chain.
www.seafoodscotland.org can provide more detailed information and the full report on The Economics of Quality at Sea is available from 'Sea Fish Industry Authority' at www.seafish.org.uk
See Also
