The OFS has been supplying crab and lobster for over 50 years, and so we believe it is our duty to make an active contribution towards long term seafood sustainability. Sustainable practice is the only way to safeguard the future of our inshore fisheries and make sure that our grandchildren have access to the same marine resources as previous generations.
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Our commitment
All shellfish purchases are made only with a clear understanding of the capacity of the marine environment to support the fishing effort involved. We work closely with our fishermen members to initiate and support projects, policies and actions which make a valid contribution to long term sustainability.
Orkney Sustainable Fisheries Ltd
This is a not for profit organisation that was established in 2006 to run the local lobster hatchery and to take forward various initiatives relating to the future of our inshore fisheries. The current Chairman is Stewart Crichton, General Manager of Orkney Fishermen's Society. In September 2009 Orkney became the first area in the UK to appoint a dedicated Shellfish Sustainability Officer. Marine Science graduate Sarah Lamb, the daughter of a fisherman from Caithness, was involved in setting up crab tagging trials and in establishing an ongoing programme of stock assessment. Sarah also headed up a joint initiative with the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) where juvenile hatchery reared lobsters were released into a marine energy test site.
The project saw some 4,000 tagged juvenile lobsters released in autumn 2010 onto the EMEC site at Billia Croo, Orkney. 50 lobster pots were set and hauled for a 2 day period each month over several years. The first few years were to assess the natural stocks on the grounds. Further years catches recorded survival and success rates of the releases.This project has been completed and a report on its findings will be published soon. Sarah completed her term in post in August 2011 and Kate Walker is now continuing with the work.
Kate has a Batchelor of Science honours degree in Zoology and a Masters degree in Marine Resource Management and joined the OSF project in May 2011 working with Sarah on data collection of the fishery and crab tagging. She will continue this work and in addition will be working with McAllister Elliot and ICIT as the fishery is entering Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) pre-assessment.
Orkney Fishermens Society takes the view that the development of the marine energy sector will inevitably have an impact on the traditional inshore fisheries of the area. One way round this may be for developers of such devices to recognise the potential disruption to traditional crustace spawning grounds during deployment, and to compensate the fishery by introducing hatchery reared juvenile lobsters. All financial contributions to the work of Orkney Sustainable Fisheries will ensure continued research into shellfish stocks in local waters.
Click here to visit the OSF website.
OFS recently became the first crab processor to hold Marine Stewardship Council Chain of Custody certification for brown crab.
OFS Sponsoring World Championships
OFS are sponsoring the World Pier Crabbing Championships taking place at the Cromer & Sheringham Crab & Lobster Festival 2012.
£300,000 expansion of Stromness crab factory
A planning application has been lodged for the expansion of the OFS crab factory in Stromness with the £300,000 project being funded by a combination of new shareholder investment, public sector grant and bank borrowing.
Change of Rules at Fishermen’s Co-operative
Running alongside the proposed factory expansion is a proposed change of Rules.