The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has published its annual UK Sea Fisheries Statistics 2014.
The report includes details on the UK fleet, the number of fishermen, the quantity and value of UK landings, international trade, worldwide fishing and the state of key stocks.
The report shows that in 2014 the quantity and value of sea fish (which include shellfish) landed by UK vessels has increased by 21% and 16% respectively on 2013.
UK vessels landed 756,000 tonnes of sea fish into the UK and abroad with a value of £861 million. The large increase in landings was primarily driven by a 76% increase in mackerel landings, due to a sharp rise in quota.
Pelagic fish such as mackerel and herring accounted for the largest share in terms of UK fleet landings (58%) but the lowest share in value (32%).
The UK fleet remained seventh largest in the EU in terms of vessel numbers, with the second largest capacity and fourth largest engine power.
Around 11,800 fishermen were reported as active in the UK, with around 2,100 part-time.
Peterhead remained the port with the highest landings – 159,000 tonnes with a value of £145 million. Brixham had the highest quantity of landings in England, closely followed by Newlyn.
Exports of fish and processed fish increased by 10% to 499,000 tonnes compared with 2013. Over the same period, 721,000 tonnes were imported, a fall of 3%.
World figures for 2013 showed that China caught the largest amount of fish, 14.1 million tonnes. Peru had the second largest catch at 5.8 million tonnes
The full report, and more detailed supplementary tables, can be accessed on the UK Sea Fisheries Statistics page.
