The Association, which celebrated it`s 50th anniversary in 2005 represents 14 member firms throughout Scotland. Members supply the day to day needs of fishing vessels- from a needle to an anchor ( including ropes, lube oil ironware and netting) .Members directly employ some 200 people.
The Association represents 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation businesses, the majority of which are local to the communities and not owned by or are part of any multi national group.

Membership---
Membership of the Association is open to all persons, firms or corporations carrying on in Scotland the business of ship chandlers, whether such business is exclusive or carried on in conjunction with any other business or businesses.

A ship chandler is one who maintains premises and staff for the purpose in dealing in ropes, nets, net parts, twines, ships furniture and other stores for deck and engine room, who deals in all these articles and who generally gives services to the fishing industry, whether in whole or in part, generally given to that industry by ship chandlers.