Associated Seafoods wins best practice accolade

SCOTTISH seafood processor Associated Seafoods has been recognised as an example of best practice by the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA).

Associated Seafoods has achieved certification under the GSA’s Best Seafood Practices (BSP) and Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) schemes.

Associated Seafoods sources seafood from both wild-capture fisheries and aquaculture. It is the first seafood producer in the UK to be certified to GSA’s newest programme, BSP, which provides assurances that wild seafood has been harvested and processed in a responsible manner. GSA’s BAP certification provides assurances for farmed seafood.

Associated Seafoods was established in 2010 through the merger of Lossie Seafoods, a specialist in smoked fish, and Moray Seafoods, a leading shellfish producer. Its plant employs more than 300, the majority of whom live in and around the traditional fishing community of Buckie. Much of the processing is undertaken by hand by a highly skilled team of filleters, curers and smokers. Associated Seafoods’ customers include Loblaw and Marks & Spencer.

“Associated Seafoods has demonstrated a real commitment to advancing responsible practices throughout the seafood supply chain,” said Iain Shone, GSA’s Director of Market Development, Europe. “BSP and BAP certification will enable Associated [Seafoods] to build trust with retailers and their customers who have the highest demands in seafood.”

BSP is the world’s only thirdparty certification programme capable of linking responsible fisheries to certified vessels and processing plants. Associated Seafoods encourages vessels they source from to engage with GSA’s Responsible Fishing Vessel Standard, which ensures high standards of crew welfare, enabling those within the seafood supply chain to demonstrate their commitment to responsibly sourced seafood.

Associated Seafoods specialises in Scottish smoked salmon, scampi from Scottish langoustines, farmed halibut and long-line tuna. Last year the group acquired the former Dawnfresh Arbroath processing business, which trades as RR Spink & Sons.