WIREDGOV

isheries Secretary welcomes increase in volume and value of fish landings in 2014.

The overall value of fish landed by Scottish fleets in 2014 increased by almost a fifth – 18 per cent – in 2014 on to the previous year, with mackerel continuing to be the most valuable stock.

The total quantity of fish landed also increased by 31 per cent compared to 2013.

Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead welcomed the news, commenting yesterday:

“I am very encouraged by today’s figures which indicate the value of fish landed by Scottish vessels in 2014 increased by 18 per cent 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 per cent.

“I’m particularly pleased with the news that the value of mackerel landings increased in real terms by 52 per cent in 2014 compared to 2013 – it is the most valuable stock to the Scottish fleet, accounting for 38 per cent, 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 focussed 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 thousand tonnes of sea fish and shellfish landed by Scottish based vessels in 2014, with a value of £514 million. Compared to 2013 the real terms value increased by 18 per cent and the quantity of fish landed increased by 31 per cent.

Notes To Editors

The Scottish Sea Fisheries Statistics 2014 can be accessed at www.gov.scot/stats/bulletins/01171