Fish Landed In 2014 Up By Almost A Third
Nearly a third more fish were landed last year but there has been a decline in jobs, large vessels and the prices of some of Scotland's most valuable species, official figures show.
The total quantity of fish landed rose by 31% in 2014 compared with the previous year, but the total value only rose 18% due to falling herring, mackerel and hake prices.
There were 196 fewer fishermen, down 4% to 4,796 compared with the previous year, and 11 fewer vessels over 10m, down to 583, although there were 21 additional smaller vessels below 10m, rising to 1,447.
The real terms price per tonne for herring has dropped by nearly 25%, mackerel is down 15% and hake and monkfish down less than 10%, although there has been 20% rise in the value of haddock and a smaller rise in the value of shellfish.
Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said: I am very encouraged by today's figures which indicate the value of fish landed by Scottish vessels in 2014 increased by 18% in real terms from the previous year - with an overall value of £514 million.
Despite the volatile weather conditions, it is good to see that the overall volume of landings from the Scottish fleet held up well in 2014, increasing in fact by 31%.
I'm particularly pleased with the news that the value of mackerel landings increased in real terms by 52% in 2014 compared to 2013 - it is the most valuable stock to the Scottish fleet, accounting for 38%, an impressive £195 million, of the total value of Scottish landings.
The Scottish Government has worked hard over the years to add value to these Scottish products, promoting them to markets both at home and across the world.
We will continue to promote Scotland's priorities on the international stage and are focused on getting the best possible deals in fisheries negotiations while working hard to get support from across Europe to fight off new burdens and, wherever possible, increasing quotas of stocks of key commercial importance to maximise what our fishermen can catch.''
There were 481,000 tonnes of sea fish and shellfish landed by Scottish-based vessels in 2014, with a value of £514 million.