Fishing remains an important part of the Orkney economy with seafood products famous throughout Britain and beyond for their quality.  In 1972 Orkney Fisheries Association was established when fishermen, merchants and processors teamed up to fight the threat of joining Europe.  In the beginning the association was run on a part-time basis and the council's development officer was the secretary from 1973 until 1997 when a full-time office was instituted.

Membership covers vessels in the whitefish, prawn, scallop and creel sectors and until recently there were also pelagic interests.  Orkney Fisheries Association is engaged in a wide range of activities to provide a service and representation for its members in the various sectors.  It has been the policy of Orkney Fisheries Association that there should be an Orkney voice at all important discussions and the office-bearers and secretary aim to attend most industry meetings and seminars.  To complement this Orkney Fisheries Association rejoined the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation in mid-1999 to promote the Orkney view and enlist the wider representation offered by the Federation.

Other organisations which fishermen and processors may belong to include Seafood Scotland and the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation.