Provisional figures published by the Scottish government indicate that the Scottish fleet last year landed fish and shellfish worth £559 million, and a volume of 464,000 tonnes. This represents a 10,600 tonne (2%) increase in catches landed by 2068 active Scottish fishing vessels in 2017. The final statistics for 2017 will be published in September this year.
According to the Scottish government’s analysis, the fleet has grown by 2% due to an increase in the number of under 10 metre creeling vessels. In 2017, 4799 fishermen were reckoned to have been employed on Scottish vessels, marginally down from the 4823 figure in 2016.
Mackerel remains the most valuable stock to the Scottish fleet, accounting for 29% (£162 million) 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.
Of the total weight of mackerel landed by Scottish vessels, 48% was landed into Scotland (51% of tonnage in 2016) and 52% was landed abroad. The average price of mackerel landed abroad decreased 4% to £894 per tonne in 2017, whereas the average price of mackerel landed into Scotland increased 6% to £907 per tonne.
In 2017, the weight of herring landed by Scottish vessels decreased by 14% to 56,300 tonnes, and the value decreased by 45% to £24 million. The average price dropped by 36% to £427 per tonne.
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 £42 million, with a 14% increase in average price from 2016 to £1,512 per tonne. Tonnage landed decreased 1% to 27,900 tonnes.
The value of monkfish landings increased 4% to £36 million 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 14,700 tonnes. The value of cod increased 24% to £34 million and average price increased by 10% to £2,320 per tonne.
Nephrops (Norway Lobster/Langoustine) are the most valuable shellfish stock, accounting for 42% of shellfish landings, and overall the second most valuable stock to the Scottish fleet. In 2017, the total value of Nephrops was £74 million, which is 3% lower relative to 2016. There was a 2% increase in tonnage landed to 21,500 tonnes and a 5% decrease in average price to £3,460 per tonne.
The increase in value of the shellfish sector was largely driven by increased value of squid, scallops, edible crabs and lobsters.
