The Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF) was formed in 1973 to preserve and promote the collective interests of Scotland’s fishermen's associations. The Federation plays an active role in advancing the interests of Scottish fishermen at national and international levels by lobbying government officials in Edinburgh, London and Brussels. The Federation also plays a key role in helping to inform: fisheries science; the management of the marine environment; inshore fisheries management; marine spatial planning; marine safety regulations and industry recruitment and training programmes.

The Federation umbrella covers nine geographical/sectoral constituent associations representing more than 500 vessels from inshore creel boats to pelagic trawlers. The associations are:

• Anglo-Scottish Fishermen's Association;
• Clyde Fishermen's Association;
• Fishsalesmen's Association (Scotland) Limited;
• Mallaig and North-West Fishermen's Association Limited;
• Orkney Fisheries Association;
• Scallop Association;
• Scottish Pelagic Fishermen's Association Limited;
• Scottish White Fish Producers’ Association Limited; and,
• Shetland Fishermen's Association.