The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has published its annual UK Sea Fisheries Statistics 2013 report, which includes detailed figures on the UK fishing fleet, the number of fishermen, the quantity and value of landings, international trade and the state of key fishing stocks.

The report highlights that in 2013 UK vessels landed 624,000 tonnes of sea fish and shellfish into the UK and abroad with a value of £718 million - a 1% decrease in quantity and a 7% decrease in value compared with 2012.

Landings of demersal fish (such as haddock, cod and whiting) increased by 10% between 2012 and 2013 to the highest level seen for over 10 years. Landings of haddock - the highest caught demersal species – have risen by a third in two years to 40,000 tonnes. Pelagic (such as mackerel) and shellfish landings fell by 3 and 6% respectively between 2012 and 2013.

Pelagic fish accounted for the largest share in terms of landings (47%) but the lowest share in value (25%). Demersal fish accounted for the largest share in terms of value (38%), slightly higher than shellfish (37%).

The UK fishing fleet fell from being the sixth to the seventh largest in the EU in terms of vessel numbers, with the second largest capacity and fourth largest power. Around 6,400 fishing vessels were registered with a total capacity of 197,000 GT and total power of 798,000 kW.

Around 12,150 fishermen were reported as active in the UK. Of these, around 1,800 were part-time.

MMO Acting Chief Executive, Andy Beattie, said: “We are pleased to see that demersal species have increased to the highest level seen for more than a decade. Landings of pelagic species have fallen slightly, but we continue to work closely with fishermen to help keep fisheries open for as long as possible, while ensuring stocks are maintained for the future.”

The full report can be seen here.

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