High Level Summary of Statistics Trend Last update: Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Sea Fisheries
The graph below displays the value of landings by Scottish based vessels into the UK and abroad for the years 2002 - 2007 (in 2007 prices).
The total value of fish landed by Scottish vessels in 2007 was £380 million, representing an increase of 2 per cent in real terms over the period 2002 - 2007.
The value of demersal landings fell between 2002 and 2003, recovered between 2003 and 2006 but fell back in 2007. In 2002, the value of demersal landings by Scottish based vessels totalled £137m; this fell to £109m in 2003; then rose to £136m in 2006 but fell back to £130m in 2007. The 2007 figure is 17% lower in real terms compared with 2002.
The 2006 and 2007 pelagic landings have been affected by the repayment arrangements agreed with the Commission for historic undeclared landings of herring and mackerel. Under administrative arrangements, repayment started in 2006 and continued into 2007. The value of pelagic landings has therefore decreased from £98m in 2002 to £91m in 2007; a decrease of 19% in real terms over the period.
The value of shellfish landings increased markedly over the period and by 2006 shellfish had become the most valuable sector to the Scottish fleet. In 2002 the value of landings was £94m and in 2007 £163m; an increase of 52% in real terms.
In 2002, demersal landings accounted for 42% of the total value of landings; by 2007 this had fallen to 34%, lower than the 42% accounted for by shellfish.
Source: Scottish Government Marine Directorate
The Scottish Government has set a National Indicator to ensure that the proportion of Scotland's key commercial fish stocks where the Total Allowable Catch ( TAC) set in European negotiations is in line with scientific guidance is at least 70% in 2015. Some of our key stocks have been at historically low levels in recent years and we want to ensure that fish stocks are healthy and sustainable for future generations. This indicator will monitor the extent to which we are ensuring that more of key commercial fish stocks are classified as being at full reproductive capacity and are being harvested sustainably.
The proportion of Scotland's key commercial fish stocks where the quota set in European negotiations was in line with scientific guidance has risen considerably since 2004 and is currently at 76%, above the 70% target.
Source: Scottish Government Marine Directorate
Note (1): Stocks where was no available advice for that year, or if the advice was unclear, have been counted as if the TAC was not consistent with the advice.
Note (2): For each year the proportion of fish stocks was weighted according to the landings value data for that year. Landings data for 2008 was estimated by 2007 landings data.
Note (3): Each point on the graph refers to the proportion of fish stocks where the TAC was set within scientific advice over the three year period centred on that year.
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