About Us
Jimmy Buchan
Jean Meikle
Executive Board
| CHAIR | AMBER KNIGHT |
| VICE CHAIR | ANDREW BROWN |
| BOARD MEMBER | RYAN SCATTERTY |
| BOARD MEMBER | MICHAEL ROBERTSON |
| BOARD MEMBER | WILLIAM GRANT |
| BOARD MEMBER | GRAEME SUTHERLAND |
| BOARD MEMBER | MICHAEL CLARK |
| BOARD MEMBER | VICTOR WEST |
| BOARD MEMBER | ROY CUNNINGHAM |
| BOARD MEMBER | DAVID LEIPER |
| BOARD MEMBER | PETER MOSSOP |
| BOARD MEMBER | JAMES WILSON |
| BOARD MEMBER | PETER OVERTON |
| BOARD MEMBER | PAUL KNIGHT |
| BOARD MEMBER | PAUL VIRTUE |
| BOARD MEMBER | JIM FREER |
Who We Are
The Scottish Seafood Association (SSA) was formed in 2011 in response to a growing need for a national body to represent the whole of Scotland’s seafood, processing and trading sectors. We now have around 70 members from across Scotland. Almost half of the 12,000 jobs supported by the UK processing sector are based in Scotland (5000, with 3800 in Grampian alone).
Against a backdrop of increasingly challenging economic, environmental and regulatory conditions, the Association’s principle aim is to ensure that the Scottish seafood processing sector enjoys a viable and long-term future which will continue to support local economies, create jobs and open up career opportunities for our young people.
Its biggest assets are its products and its people. Scotland has a global reputation for the quality and range of its seafood. SSA members are recognised as being among the world’s leading suppliers and processors of quality seafood products to regional, national and global markets.
Our primary objectives are to ensure that Scottish seafood is the first choice for the consumer and that Scottish processors are the first choice of supply.
What We Do
We provide a united voice for our members and for the wider processing sector in the policy and legislation arenas through effective dialogue, consultation, collaboration and partnership working.
We are a member of a number of industry bodies including Seafood Scotland, the Scottish Seafood Partnership, Scottish Seafood Training Network, the North East of Scotland Fisheries Development Partnership, Seafish and the North East White Fish Forum.
The seafood industry is an important and vital contributor to Scotland’s economy and we work hard to ensure that the contribution made by our members and their sector is recognised and valued. Our members provide markets for seafood caught by the hundreds of fishermen who rely on the viability of the processing sector to help sustain the catching sector.
Ensuring the sustainability of the fishing industry is a priority. Seafood is sourced from vessels which catch within UK quotas and guidelines. We also recognise the requirement to implement changes to the general management of the Scottish seafood industry and work in collaboration with other agencies to achieve results which will support long-term viability and sustainability.
In 2016 the SSA achieved a world first when it became the first association of its kind to achieve group certification through the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Chain of Custody programme. A number of members have already received MSC Certification in order to meet the growing demand to supply seafood from sustainable sources. The group scheme makes the accreditation process much more affordable for small and medium sized processors.
Our Industry
There is little doubt our industry faces challenging times; however, the resilience and vision of the Scottish seafood processing sector shows no bounds and through the membership of the Scottish Seafood Association your voice will be heard across the political spectrum to the benefit of yourself and your fellow members.
As membership of the SSA continues to grow, we reaffirm our commitment to help our members to achieve growth in the sector. The fishing industry supports communities around Scotland’s coastline and their economic, social and community input to the country’s economy and way of life cannot be underestimated. Seafood processing is an integral part of that supply chain providing jobs and economic benefit to the communities where processing is located.
Scottish Seafood Association members come from all around Scotland, employing thousands of people both directly and indirectly, predominantly in these fishing-dependent areas.
We are competing in a global market, we have the products, the people, and the presence to secure our place as a world leader in seafood production. Peterhead is Europe’s premier whitefish port; just round the coast Fraserburgh is the largest prawn landing port in the UK and along with fishing ports in the Shetlands and outlying islands in rural Scotland, regardless through the SSA your voice will be heard unconquerably
Investment in infrastructure with ground-breaking innovation, making our processing sector a viable and profitable sector will always be our one of our key priorities as we look towards existing and new emerging global markets. Future investment in innovation allows business to remain competitive in global and domestic markets as demand for quality seafood continues to grow.
We continue to offer good career prospects in the processing sector across all segments of the primary and secondary process which support our industry and the communities they are located in. The SSA will continue to engage and promote the jobs and skills required in a modern day seafood processing sector
Testimonials
The process of being SALSA approved and the implementation of the Scottish Seafood Association Technical Standard was made to be as straight forward as possible for us thanks to the help of the SSA. Jean and Michael have been great throughout the whole process. From offering us guidance and dealing with any queries that we had very quickly. It was very reassuring to know that Jean was always there to answer any questions that we had and to deal with any issues that came up.
Thank you again for all of your help.
Thank you for all your help Jean its much appreciated.
With the help of the SSA the process of being SALSA approved was as straight forward as it possibly could have been. Jean and Michael were more than helpful with any questions or queries that we had and everything ran smoothly due to the help and input they both had throughout the implementation of the standard. It was a comfort to know that there were help at hand in regards to any problems that might have arisen.
Although we had an existing Quality Management System (QMS)and HACCP, it was out of date and we were not using it to the full potential.
The process towards gaining the SSA Standard, started with Michael, whom we as a business had known for many years, when we discovered there would be someone else implementing the standard and supporting us, there was of course some concerns about the change in personnel.
However, we need not have worried, Jean is approachable, helpful and knowledgeable. A big help for us was that, we were able to have inspections and meetings to work around our busy work schedule.
The process did require effort and work on our part to implement the standard and documentation throughout the process, however with the SSA support provided this was done smoothly. They were even able to merge some of our existing documents into the documentation making it work better for us.
Going for and achieving the SALSA accreditation has been the icing on the cake for us, however the whole process has given my team more confidence in the abilities and knowledge they had already, whilst allowing them to build on them, which I feel is definitely a good thing for our business.
…….. Its already paying off being part of your organisation just in the assistance you are giving us as a business so we are very happy
Here at Bannerman Seafoods we are at an exciting point in our company development, we are working towards our SALSA accreditation.
As part of this we are training our staff and it is important to us that a member of staff has a REHIS Intermediate Food Hygiene Qualification. We were able to take advantage of the 50% funding from Seafish/Seafood Scotland to help us achieve this.
This was all completed during the challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic. The course was available online and allowed Simon to complete the course at his own pace with the comfort of knowing there was a mentor (Jean Meikle SSA) available via phone or online platform to help and support if required. The exam was also completed via an online platform.
This qualification is key to the progression of our Company in the journey towards accreditation.
Many Thanks
During the the Covid-19 outbreak and forced lockdown, our company like many others in the industry suffered some difficult times. Alterations were made to both the management of the company and to staffing levels.
SSA helped & supported our business guiding us through completing various tasks in preparation for the upcoming SALSA audit
Due to restrictions we were unable to get visits on site, we were able to do regular zoom meetings and have the work checked via email.
This commitment and dedication to their members is invaluable as companies strive to get back to “normality” Thanks to the SSA our staff have been able to receive online training and mentoring, our Quality System has greatly improved and none of this could have been possible without their help.
