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.

Federation activities are directed by the sixteen members of its executive committee. This committee meets five times a year to discuss current and upcoming issues and to develop Federation policy.

The president of the Federation is Alan Coghill (click to view president’s message) with joint vice-presidents; Ross Dougal and David Shiel.

The executive committee oversees four specialist sub-committees as follows:

• Inshore;
• Marine Safety, Training and Personnel.
• Policy & Horizon Scanning; and,
• Sustainable Fisheries.

In addition to the sub-committees, three focus groups covering the nephrops, demersal and scallop sectors also help provide policy direction.

SFF Services Limited was established in 1986 as the commercial wing of the Federation and has become a successful marine services company.  Further information can be found at www.services.sff.co.uk