Fishing industry leaders are calling on owners and skippers to take part in the annual survey of the UK’s fleet.
The survey, organised by Seafish, returns today for its summer run having been forced to take place online last year as a result of Covid-19 restrictions. This year researchers will be able to once again visit ports and harbours to meet vessel owners and skippers face-to-face, which has delighted Marta Moran-Quintana, economic analyst at Seafish.
“We hope that owners and skippers will again be willing to spare some time to chat with [field researchers] Carlos, Oscar and Joe about their businesses and crew,” she said. “Normally about 70 per cent of the fishermen we meet in ports agree to complete the survey,” she added.
The annual socio-economic survey asks questions about the financial performance of fishing businesses and demographics of their crew. “The fleet survey provides data which is useful to the industry at all levels,” continued Ms Moran-Quintana. “From national federations seeking to influence government to individual owners making decisions for their business.”
Businesses which take part can opt to receive a free benchmark report, comparing their vessel’s economic performance to similar vessels. The reports can also be used as evidence in grant or loan applications.
Seafish’s ‘Economics of the UK Fishing Fleet’ report for 2020 will be published later in the year. The data shows that the total operating profit of the fleet last year fell by almost a fifth, from £264 million in 2019 to £214 million in 2020.
