UK2 Scotland and N.Ireland Socio-economic Profile
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1 United Kingdom Scotland and Northern Ireland : UK2 1.1 Overview The area defined as United Kingdom UK2 covers the whole of Scotland and Northern Ireland. There were some 2,806 vessels (with a total tonnage of 76,086 GRT and total 412706 kW) in the Scottish fleet, of which 1,660 were less than 10 m. There are 411 vessels in the Northern Ireland fleet. In terms of the numbers of vessels, the most important fishing districts in Scotland and Northern Ireland are Stornoway(364), Fraserburgh(281), Mallaig(259), Shetland(217), Orkney (199), and Campbeltown(194). With the exception of Fraserburgh, the majority of the vessels registered in these fishing districts are under 10m in length. In terms of fishing capacity (GRT and kW), the north east fishing districts of Fraserburgh, Peterhead and Buckie along with Shetland and Ayr represent the most important districts. The number of vessels registered in 1990 was 2,368, which would indicate an apparent increase in vessel number over the 1991 -1997 period. However this increase is primarily due to the introduction of the compulsory licensing scheme for vessels under 10m in 1993, and the largest increase is seen in the class of boats under 10m. The numbers of Northern Irish vessels increased from 352 to 411 (+17%) over the same period, as in Scotland this increase is attributed to changes in registration procedures. Over 100 species of shellfish, demersal and pelagic fish are landed in Scotland. In 1996, total volume landed in Scotland by UK boats amounted to over 465,000 metric tonnes valued at 410,421,259 ECU. Of primary importance are the demersal species which amount to 58% (by volume) and 67.3% by value of all landings in 1996. The main species of demersal fish landed in Scotland are cod, haddock and whiting, together accounting for 62% of the total demersal catch in 1996. The north east attracted most of the demersal landings with Peterhead, Aberdeen and Fraserburgh as the main landing districts. Pelagics and shellfish landings amount to 197,064 tonnes in 1996 with a value of 133,939,872 ECU Herring and mackerel make up the majority of this category of fish. Substantial volumes of pelagic fish and shellfish caught by Scottish vessels are landed abroad. In 1996 overseas tonnage amounted to 138,046 tonnes valued at 52,838,665 ECU. The volume of landings has been steadily declining since 1991, primarily as a result of quota restrictions. However, while tonnage has decreased the value of landings into Scotland has in fact been increasing. Landings into Northern Ireland are more evenly distributed among the 3 main groups of demersal, pelagic and shellfish than in Scotland. Total value of landings into Northern Ireland in 1996 was 10,700,750 ECU. Information on the value and tonnage of processed fish is not readily available in published form except at a highly aggregated level. 1.2 Employment in Coastal Fishing Scotland Employment in fishing in Scotland totals almost 8,000. The majority of these (6,689) are full time fishers whilst there are 1,335 'partially employed' fishers and 60 crofters. The largest concentrations of fishing employment are around the North East coast of Scotland, there are 931 fishers at Fraserburgh, 777 in Peterhead, 501 in Banff and 341 in Keith and Buckie. The West coast of Scotland also has large numbers employed in fishing, Skye and Ullapool have 370 fishers, Lochaber 214 and further South, Ayr has 508. Many of the fishers are located on islands both on the West Coast such as the Outer Hebrides where there are 336 fishers in Lewis and Harris, 345 on the Uists and Barra. The other large groups of islands the Orkneys and Shetland also have large numbers of fishers with 410 and 502 respectively . The West coast districts and the islands of Orkney and Shetland have much higher proportions of partially employed fishers than in the north east. Northern Ireland There are 963 fishers in Northern Ireland, of which 815 are full time and 148 part time. Most of the employment is located in Kilkeel and Portavogie where there are 555 and 260 fishers respectively. 1.3 Processing Employment Scotland Employment generated by the processing industry amounts to 8,542 persons employed. Of this number 83% are full time and 17 % are part time employment. Of the total, women represent 49% of all employment, 29% of the total women were on a part time basis as compared to 5% for men. Northern Ireland In 1996 there were 1,022 persons employed in the processing sector, of which 814 were full time and 208 part time. The largest number of persons employed were in Kilkeel with 549 persons employed, followed by 226 persons employed in Ardglass. 1.4 Vessel Construction and Repair Employment Scotland Total employed in construction and repairs are 11,819 people. This figure covers the whole of the ship construction and repair industry in Scotland and does not distinguish between vessel type or function. 1.5 Marine Aquaculture Employment The aquaculture industry in Scotland is considerable and employs 1,617 people (1,400 FTEs), mostly in salmon production. 1,183 of these persons employed are full time and 434 are part time. 1,374 of these persons employed were held by men and 243 were held by women. Almost all of the aquaculture employment is located on the West Coast and the Islands. Highlands and Islands had 910 persons employed whilst Shetland had 322. There were no persons employed in the North East of Scotland (where the majority of the capture fishing is based) and only 6 in the South West of Scotland. 1.6 Inland Aquaculture Employment Freshwater aquaculture in Scotland consists of trout production and salmon smolt production. Smolt production is concentrated mainly in the Highlands and Islands. In 1997 there were 672 (567 FTEs) employed in inland aquaculture with 418 of these persons employed in the Highlands and Islands (1,2,3). 1.7 Inland Fishing Employment There were no inland fisheries figures available but sport and recreational fishing in Scotland and in Northern Ireland are of considerable size and generate some employment. |