Whitby Seafoods

Whitby Seafoods & Sustainability

Whitby Seafoods is a family business with strong ethics and it is important to us to be working with a sustainable scampi supply. As one of the largest scampi manufacturers in the UK we see we have a responsibility to and for our industry.

We know that scampi is only ever made with a species called Nephrops norvegicus, also known as langoustine. All langoustine used by Whitby Seafoods is fished in the waters around the British Isles by British skippers. As langoustine is the most valuable, and therefore most commercially important fishery in the UK, there is significant scientific research on stocks and a high level of understanding.

There is clear evidence that fishermen in this industry are working together with scientists to make sure accurate information gets put forward. Both fishermen and manufacturers like Whitby Seafoods are committed to protecting and respecting the fishery to ensure it is there for generations to come.

There is no illegal fishing of langoustine in the UK which is strictly enforced by quota. The trawl nets used for langoustine are designed to let fish escape the catch, as far as is possible. The langoustine is caught by trawler vessels who use lighter nets than dredger vessels which have been proven to damage the sea bed. Spawning langoustine stays underground in burrows and therefore is safe from trawling, this acts as a natural protective factor of the species. A good source of information on fishing for langoustine can be found at The Fisheries Research Services (part of the Scottish Executive) website.

Quotas for langoustine have been increased every year for the last few years as politicians accept the industry experts’ claims that the species is sustainable and not over fished. Parts of the trawl fishery for langoustine in the UK are working towards Marine Stewardship Council certification. Whitby Seafoods has MSC certification for our chain of custody and are looking to launch more MSC certified products in the future.

Whitby Seafoods are also investing, alongside the Seafish Industry Authority, in research to further our understanding of langoustine behavior. In line with our ethical stance Whitby Seafoods will ensure that all future product launches will utilise sustainable raw materials.

The Seafish Industry Authority have produced an interesting and well researched fact sheet on the sustainability of the species which you can download here.

		Whitby Seafoods & Sustainability Whitby Seafoods is a family business with strong ethics and it is important to us to be working with a sustainable scampi supply. As one of the largest scampi manufacturers in the UK we see we have a responsibility to and for our industry. We know that scampi is only ever made with a species called Nephrops norvegicus, also known as langoustine. All langoustine used by Whitby Seafoods is fished in the waters around the British Isles by British skippers. As langoustine is the most valuable, and therefore most commercially important fishery in the UK, there is significant scientific research on stocks and a high level of understanding. There is clear evidence that fishermen in this industry are working together with scientists to make sure accurate information gets put forward. Both fishermen and manufacturers like Whitby Seafoods are committed to protecting and respecting the fishery to ensure it is there for generations to come. There is no illegal fishing of langoustine in the UK which is strictly enforced by quota. The trawl nets used for langoustine are designed to let fish escape the catch, as far as is possible. The langoustine is caught by trawler vessels who use lighter nets than dredger vessels which have been proven to damage the sea bed. Spawning langoustine stays underground in burrows and therefore is safe from trawling, this acts as a natural protective factor of the species. A good source of information on fishing for langoustine can be found at The Fisheries Research Services (part of the Scottish Executive) website. Quotas for langoustine have been increased every year for the last few years as politicians accept the industry experts’ claims that the species is sustainable and not over fished. Parts of the trawl fishery for langoustine in the UK are working towards Marine Stewardship Council certification. Whitby Seafoods has MSC certification for our chain of custody and are looking to launch more MSC certified products in the future. Whitby Seafoods are also investing, alongside the Seafish Industry Authority, in research to further our understanding of langoustine behavior. In line with our ethical stance Whitby Seafoods will ensure that all future product launches will utilise sustainable raw materials. The Seafish Industry Authority have produced an interesting and well researched fact sheet on the sustainability of the species which you can download here.