THE real value of fish catches landed at Scottish ports fell by 26%
between 1987 and last year, but the industry north of the Border still
accounts for about 65% of the UK's total haul, according to a report.
The analysis, compiled by Mackay Consultants of Stirling, covering
1985-91, also shows that the weight of catches has fallen steadily over
the six-year period: the 1991 level was only 73% of that in 1985.
Because of overfishing and the resultant cuts in EC quotas to preserve
stocks, white fish such as cod, haddock, and other species have been
worst affected, with a lesser cutback in herring and mackerel catches.
In contrast, the weight of shellfish landed has increased, and the
1991 total of 45,925 tonnes was the highest yet recorded.
While statistics compiled by the Scottish Office Agriculture and
Fisheries Office show the value of catches at current prices, and record
an increase of 24% over the six-year period, the report published today
allows for inflation and calculates the official figures are inaccurate
by as much as 50%.
Peterhead emerges as the number one UK port, accounting for more than
#81m worth of fish and 30% of the Scottish total last year.
Aberdeen, Fraserburgh, Lerwick, and Kinlochbervie achieved landings
ranging in value from #26m to #11.8m.
The fastest-growing ports over the period have been Scrabster, Troon,
Barra, Lerwick, and Fraserburgh.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article