Scottish-registered fishing vessels landed 464,000 tonnes of sea fish and shellfish with a value of GB£559m in 2017, representing an increase of 10,600t (2%) and GB£2.6m (<1%) from 2016.
The latest provisional Scottish sea fisheries statistics from the Scottish Government also show there were 2,068 active Scottish registered fishing vessels in 2017, an increase of 2% from 2016 due to increases in the 10m and under fleet.
Mackerel remains the most valuable stock to the Scottish fleet. It accounted for 29% (GB£162m) of the total value of Scottish vessels’ landings. In 2017, Scottish-registered vessels landed 5% less mackerel by weight and 4% less by value than in 2016.
Most valuable
Haddock, monkfish and cod are the most valuable demersal species to the Scottish fleet. The value of haddock landings increased by 13% in 2017 to GB£42m, but tonnage landed decreased 1% to 27,900t.
The value of monkfish landings increased 4% to GB£36m driven by a 1% increase in average price to £2,778 per tonne and a 3% increase in tonnage to 13,100 tonnes. The tonnage of cod landed in 2017 was 13% higher than in 2016 at 14,700t. The value of cod increased 24% to GB£34m and average price increased by 10% to GB£2,320 per tonne.
Nephrops (Norway Lobster/Langoustine) are the most valuable shellfish stock, accounting for 42% of shellfish landings. In 2017, the total value of Nephrops was GB£74m, which is 3% lower relative to 2016. There was a 2% increase in tonnage landed to 21,500t and a 5% decrease in average price to £3,460 per tonne.
