This marks the high quality product landed from the boat and the responsible manner in which it is caught.

Introduced by Seafish last year, RFS has grown in popularity all over the UK, with 100 vessels now fully accredited and a further 250 at various stages of inspection, said coordinator Micky Bacon.

RFS is already an accreditation sought by many buyers, in particular large chain stores around the UK.

Mr Bacon said: "Having previously worked as an environmental health inspector in the South West, I saw factors on which the RFS is based demanded in almost all other food industries, so it is just a matter of time and not that long before the fishing industry must comply."

"Each skipper may take as long as he wishes to go through the necessary steps to complete the RFS; the shortest was ten days, but most skippers take two to three months, fitting in the work needed without reducing their fishing time."

To begin the scheme, each vessel must be audited, and to save costs, Seafish advise skippers to club together so up to three boats may be audited on the same day.

Mr Davies said: "I think that soon it will be difficult to sell fish unless there is some kind of acknowledgement like the RFS."

article copyright WESTERN MORNING NEWS 

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