Pictured are the 9 fishermen who participated

NINE fishermen have signed up for the Seafish Responsible Fishing Scheme while completing their NVQ level 3 at the Seafood Training Centre in North Shields.

The scheme enables fishing vessels to prove their responsibility to the onward supply chain.

It aims to promote good environmental and operational practices, ultimately raising standards in the fishing industry.

It means vessel owners can now prove that the vessel operates to industry good practice guidelines, and that the fish from the vessel was caught responsibly.

Larger supermarkets including Waitrose, M&S and Sainsbury's have welcomed the scheme which covers four key areas including fishing practice, vessel criteria, crew competence and environmental needs.

Dennis Osborne from Anglo Scottish Seafish Training says it is a major breakthrough at North Shields that so many fishermen are taking up the scheme.

The nine who signed up are currently completing the 2008 skipper's ticket and it is hoped that this will become an important part of the skippers ticket along with care of the catch.

For further information on training courses available through the Seafood Training Centre & Anglo Scottish Seafish training contact the Centre on 0191 2961925 or 07702042551.

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