The total first-sale value of Scottish fish landings increased by 29 percent last year reaching a record level of GBP 563 million (USD 724.7 million, EUR 645.7 million), according to the latest statistics published by the Scottish government. The increase was mainly driven by a 41 percent increase in the value of landings for pelagic fish like herring and mackerel.
There was also a 26 percent increase in value of shellfish landings and an 18 percent increase in value of demersal landings.
In volume terms, the total catch increased by 3 percent to 453,300 metric tons (MT). This rise was attributed to a 10 percent spike in shellfish landings, a 5 percent increase in demersal fish landings and 1 percent climb in pelagic fish landings.
Provisional statistics from Scotland’s Chief Statistician confirmed that mackerel continued to be the most valuable stock, accounting for GBP 169 million (USD 217.6 million, EUR 193.8 million) of Scottish landings or 30 percent of the total value.
The value of mackerel increased by 29 percent since 2015. However, the volume of mackerel landed by Scottish registered vessels in 2016 was 188,000 MT, 6 percent lower than in 2015. Of the total volume of mackerel landed by Scottish vessels in 2016, 51 percent was landed into Scotland and 49 percent was landed abroad.
The average price of mackerel landed abroad increased 40 percent to GBP 936 (USD 1,205, EUR 1,074) per MT in 2016, whereas the average price of mackerel landed into Scotland increased 35 percent to GBP 885 (USD 1,139, EUR 1,015) per MT.
In 2016, the volume of herring landed by Scottish vessels increased 12 percent to 66,000 MT, and the value increased by 121 percent to GBP 47 million (USD 60.5 million, EUR 53.9 million). This was due to a 98 percent rise in the average price to GBP 719 (USD 925, EUR 825) per MT.
The uptake of quota was high overall for the major pelagic fish stocks; west of Scotland mackerel was over 106 percent, while North Sea mackerel exceeded 99 percent and North Sea Herring was over 103 percent. However, the uptake for west of Scotland herring was 10 percentage points lower in comparison to 2015, at over 80 percent uptake.
Shellfish achieved a total first-sale value of GBP 169 million (USD 217.5 million, EUR 193.8 million) in 2016, while the volume landed increased 10 percent to 63,600 MT. Nephrops (or langoustines) were the most valuable shellfish stock, accounting for 47 percent of landings, and the second most valuable stock overall to the Scottish fleet.
In 2016, the total value of nephrops was GBP 79 million (USD 101.7 million, EUR 90.6 million), which was 30 percent higher relative to 2015. This was due to a 27 percent increase in volume landed to 21,000 MT and a 2 percent increase in average price to GBP 3,766 (USD 4,847, EUR 4,319) per MT.
Scallops were the second most valuable shellfish stock for the Scottish fleet, making up 22 percent of the value of shellfish landings. The volume of scallops landed in 2016 decreased 4 percent to 15,000 MT, but the value increased 12 percent to GBP 37 million (USD 47.6 million, EUR 42.4 million), due to a 17 percent increase in the average price to GBP 2,416 (USD 3,109, EUR 2,770) per MT.
Meanwhile, the 5 percent increase in demersal landings led to a total catch of 95,400 MT with a first-sale value of GBP 169 million (USD 217.5 million, EUR 193.8 million).
The number of active Scottish registered fishing vessels in 2016 was 2,038 – an increase of 23 vessels from 2015, while the overall number of fishermen employed on these vessels was reported at 4,823, which is consistent with the figure reported in 2015.
