Scottish fishing fleet shrinks but hauls rise

THE number of vessels in the Scottish fishing fleet and the number of fishermen employed in the industry have fallen to their lowest levels since records began as the result of a series of fleet decommissioning schemes, it was revealed yesterday.

But a report on sea fisheries statistics, published by Scotland's Chief Statistician, has also shown the value of landings by Scottish vessels soared by 10 per cent last year to a record 443 million.

According to the report, the number of active fishing vessels based in Scotland now stands at 2,174, employing around 5,400 fishermen. Scotland's shrinking fleet includes 691 vessels larger than 10 metres - a decrease of 27 per cent since 2000 - and 1,483 vessels less than 10 metres, accounting for more than two thirds of the entire Scottish fleet.

The report shows the volume of landings also increased last year - by two per cent- to 378,000 tonnes. Shellfish landings made up 32 per cent by value and 18 per cent by volume of all landings, with a total value of 143 million for 69,000 tonnes landed.

White fish made up 34 per cent of the total by value and 27 per cent by volume, with a total value of 149 million for 103,000 tonnes landed. .Pelagic species, including mackerel, made up 34 per cent of the total value and 54 per cent of the total volume of catches, fetching 151 million for 205,000 tonnes landed.