Commercial sector 2008 values

The figures show that 371,000 tonnes of fish were landed by Scottish vessels with a total value of £395 million.

Landings by Scottish based vessels

Shellfish landings made up 39 per cent by value and 17 per cent by volume of all landings by Scottish-based vessels in 2008, with a total value of £155 million for 65,000 tonnes landed.

Demersal species made up 35 per cent by value and 27 per cent by volume, with a total value of £139 million for 100,000 tonnes landed. This represents an increase of about £10 million (7 per cent) compared with 2007.

Pelagic species made up 26 per cent by value and 56 per cent by volume, with a total value of £101 million for 207,000 tonnes landed. This represents an increase of about £10 million (12 per cent) compared with 2007.

Nephrops remained the most valuable species to the Scottish fleet, with a total value of over £90 million. However, as prices per tonne dropped by five per cent compared with 2007, this value represents an annual decrease of around £10 million from £100 million in 2007. The decrease in the value of nephrops landed resulted in a fall of about £10 million (five per cent) in the value of overall shellfish landings.

The volume of mackerel landings by Scottish vessels remained steady compared with 2007 but prices per tonne increased, leading to an increase in the total value of 22 per cent to £86 million in 2008. Mackerel is the second most valuable species to the Scottish fleet.

Between 2007 and 2008 there was a 36 per cent increase in the volume of landings made abroad by Scottish vessels. At an estimated £53 million, the value of all landings abroad by Scottish vessels in 2008 was £13 million (33 per cent) higher than in the previous year. This increase therefore accounts for the overall increase of £12 million between 2007 and 2008 in the value of landings by Scottish vessels.

Category: Commercial