Sustaining the future of fishing: how Heriot-Watt helped Orkney’s brown crab fishery thrive
Fishing is at the heart of Orkney’s island economy. Situated off Scotland’s north coast, Orkney’s waters support more than 100 local boats—85% of which use creels or pots to catch high-value shellfish such as brown crab and lobster. Brown crab alone accounts for around £5 million of the £10 million worth of seafood landed annually in Orkney, with local processing further doubling its economic impact.
But while the fishing industry is central to Orkney’s economy, its long-term success relies increasingly on proving the environmental sustainability of its practices—particularly to access premium markets such as high-end UK retailers.
Orkney Fisheries Association (OFA), in partnership with Orkney Sustainable Fisheries (OSF), recognised this challenge early on. To demonstrate sustainability credibly and meet the rigorous standards of leading retailers, they needed robust, independent scientific evidence.
The solution
Building on previous collaborations, Heriot-Watt University partnered with OSF and OFA to deliver targeted research that could underpin sustainable fishery practices. Early joint projects involved placing monitoring devices on vessels to identify high-yield areas and conducting biological studies on key shellfish species. This work laid the foundation for something more ambitious: the development of a Fishery Improvement Plan (FIP) for Orkney’s brown crab fishery.
The Orkney FIP, led by Heriot-Watt and supported by partners including Marks & Spencer, WWF-UK, Crown Estate Scotland, and Orkney Islands Council, broke new ground as the first FIP in the UK and the first anywhere to use the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) benchmarking and monitoring tool.
The FIP enabled the fishery to demonstrate meaningful, science-led progress towards sustainability—opening the door to new markets, particularly with retailers demanding traceability and environmental assurance.
Impact and outcomes
The success of the Orkney FIP has been widely recognised:
- Market access and brand uplift: WWF categorised the fishery as having “Sustainable Practices in Place,” enabling Marks & Spencer to promote Orkney brown crab as one of its flagship sustainable products.
- Economic impact: The scientific support provided by Heriot-Watt is estimated to have added £1 million in value to the brown crab fishery, improving positioning with major UK retailers such as M&S and Waitrose.
- Resilience to export disruption: Developing a stronger domestic market has also helped Orkney’s fishing industry weather the challenges of Brexit-related export barriers.
The collaboration also inspired further innovation. A new project with Heriot-Watt’s Lyell Centre is trialling sensor-equipped fishing gear to enhance environmental monitoring—deepening the region’s leadership in sustainable marine practices.
Working with Dr Mike Bell and his colleagues and students at Heriot-Watt University has been brilliant. Creating the FIP allowed brown crab to be sold to retailers like M&S and Waitrose that needed to see that plan in place. Mike has been a big hit with the fishermen—they know he listens to them, and they respect him.
Partnership benefits
This partnership between academia and industry created mutual benefits for Heriot-Watt, Orkney’s fishing community, and the environment:
- Industry-led innovation: The project was driven by the needs of the fishing industry, with Heriot-Watt providing the rigorous evidence to help meet sustainability and commercial goals.
- Real-world research opportunities: Access to fishing vessels and industry partners enabled Heriot-Watt researchers and students to conduct valuable fieldwork, helping to build the university’s credentials in applied marine science.
- Attracting further funding: The partnership enhanced Heriot-Watt’s ability to secure additional funding for environmental research and sustainability-focused collaborations.
The whole point about sustainable fishery management is that it is based on evidence. The industry told us where it wanted to go, and we helped to provide the supporting evidence to get there. Our students benefit from taking part in that work, and it gives the university the track record of working with industry that it needs to attract funding.
This case study exemplifies how Heriot-Watt’s applied research and industry collaborations can unlock new markets, drive innovation, and create long-term value—both economically and environmentally—for communities across Scotland and beyond.