Provisional statistics published by Scotland’s Chief Statistician show that the overall quayside value of sea fish and shellfish landed by Scottish vessels in 2013 decreased by 8%, compared with 2012.
However, the quantity of fish landed remained stable, having increased by less than half a per cent.
Scottish vessels landed 366,400 tonnes of fish with a value of £429 million.
The decrease in value of fish landings in 2013 is a result of reductions in the overall value of all species types. The very slight increase (0.5 per cent) in overall volume landed was a result of increased demersal landings counter-balanced by decreased shellfish landings.
Overall mackerel is the most valuable stock to the Scottish fleet - in 2013 it accounted for 29% of the total value of Scottish landings. In comparison to 2012, landings for mackerel in 2013 by Scottish based vessels were similar in terms of volume, at 134,000 tonnes, but were 4% lower in terms of value, at £126 million.
The overall value of demersal landings decreased by 3% to £139 million, despite a 7% increase in volume to 102,000 tonnes. In terms of value, haddock, monkfish and cod are the most dominant of demersal stocks to the Scottish fleet.
There was a 13% decrease in the total value of shellfish to £137 million, driven by an 10% decrease in the volume landed to 62,100 tonnes.
In 2013, the number of active fishing vessels based in Scotland was 2,026, 20 fewer vessels (1%) less than the previous year.
At the end of 2013, the number of fishermen employed on Scottish fishing vessels increased 5% from 2012 to 4,992 - the first increase since 2008.
Commenting on these statistics,
Provisional Scottish Sea Fisheries Statistics, 2013 can be accessed here.
