Sea fisheries

Sea fisheries

Scotland - Contribution to the Economy

Employment

Sea fisheries employment has been on a downward trend over the last decade, with a 25% reduction since 2014 and a 44% reduction since 2009, see figure below, ‘Scottish Solway: Employment, 2009 – 2018′.

Scottish Solway: Employment, 2009 – 2018. (Source: Office for National Statistics (Various) (BRES))

It is worth noting that this data is from the official source of the Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES), however it is understood that the region has many more fishermen than displayed through this data. It may be that some fishermen are employed elsewhere or other factors mean they are not included in this data.

The number of fishers working on Scottish Registered vessels in Dumfries and Galloway is 274 according to the Scottish Sea Fisheries Statistics 2018. However, the comparison of BRES employment numbers to Scottish Sea Fisheries Statistics recording of fishers working on Scottish registered vessels has disparity for other areas as well. For example these numbers are 100 in BRES compared to 291 for 2018 respectively in Orkney. This data refers to ‘fishers’ not specifically those employed in Dumfries and Galloway, so the perception of employed fishermen is much higher than those officially recorded by BRES as in employment in SIC 0311 in Dumfries and Galloway.

Location Quotients (LQ) provide information on the representation of marine industry sectors in Dumfries & Galloway in comparison with Scotland. The LQ compares the industry’s share of regional employment with its share of national employment – an LQ greater than one indicates a greater concentration of sector employment than Scotland as a whole, whilst an LQ lower than one indicates a lesser concentration.

The LQ of the fishing industry in Dumfries & Galloway has declined over time as employment has declined, in parallel employment in Scotland has increased (+38% since 2009), see figure below, ‘Scottish Solway: Sea Fisheries Location Quotients, 2009 – 2018’.

What this means is that sea fisheries significance as an employer (relative to Scotland) has decreased. Nevertheless, that is not to say that its importance as a sector and employer has decreased – it is often the ‘backbone’ and supports the livelihood of local residents in many small rural communities within the Solway.

Scottish Solway: Sea Fisheries Location Quotients, 2009 – 2018. (Source: Office for National Statistics (Various) (BRES))

Economic Output – Turnover and GVA

Both turnover and GVA have been relatively flat with a peak in 2016 due to a spike in the value of the catch (as discussed below). This trend may seem odd given the fall in the level of employment, but this is reflective of increase in the price of fish, and therefore increased turnover and profitability. The notable increase in 2016 was driven by a 15% increase in the average price of Scallops, from £2,098 per tonne to £2,411 per tonne (Marine Scotland, 2017b). See Figures below, ‘Scottish Solway: Sea Fisheries Turnover, 2009 – 2017’ and ‘Scottish Solway: Sea Fisheries GVA, 2009 – 2017’.

Scottish Solway: Sea Fisheries Turnover, 2009 – 2017. (Source: Scottish Government (2019) (SABS))

Scottish Solway: Sea Fisheries GVA, 2009 – 2017. (Source: Scottish Government (2019) (SABS))

The GVA to turnover ratio provides an insight into the relative levels of productivity with the sector. The ratio declined from 2011, likely as a result of cost pressures on the industry such as increased fuel costs. However, productivity has increased from 2015 onwards, likely due to a) the decline in employment (reduced costs) and b) the increase in value of the catch over this period (increase in price), see figure below, ‘Scottish Solway: Sea Fisheries GVA to Turnover Ratio, 2009 – 2017’.

Scottish Solway: Sea Fisheries GVA to Turnover Ratio, 2009 – 2017. (Source: Scottish Government (2019) (SABS))

The table below, ‘Scottish Solway: Tonnage Landed by Selected Species, 2009 – 2018’, shows the landings of the main species of shellfish and total landings. Data for individual demersal and pelagic species are not shown due to data suppression. A total of 2,416 tonnes of sea fish and shellfish was landed in 2018. Almost the entire catch (99.6%) was shellfish, with queen scallops and scallops by far the most important species, accounting for 49% and 34% of total landings, respectively. There has been a large decline in the tonnage of landings in recent years, with a -50% decline since 2014, and a -76% decline since the 2011 peak. Consultees reported that this is largely due to increased competition over the scallop grounds in the Irish Sea, particularly with the Isle of Man, and a general decline in scallop stocks. This has forced much of the Scottish Solway scallop fleet to fish outwith the Irish Sea, primarily in the English Channel.

Source: Marine Scotland (n.d.).

The table below, ‘Scottish Solway: Value Landed by Species, 2009 – 2018’, shows the value of landings of the main species of shellfish and total landings. Despite the -50% fall in the total catch (tonnage) since 2014, the total value of the catch has increased by +4% within the same period, indicating a strong rise in the price of shellfish. As noted above, between 2015 and 2016, the average price per tonne for Scallops increased by +15% over the course of one year (driven by an increase in demand and decline in the supply).

Source: Marine Scotland (n.d.).     Note: Values below £10,000 are suppressed

Across Scotland, overall landings were down -6% from 2014. Despite this decline in landings, values rose by 16% due to the rising price of fish. Shellfish has seen a -16% decline in landings since 2014 and 9% increase in catch value (Marine Scotland, 2019). See figures below,  ‘Tonnage: Scottish Solway as a % of Scotland, 2009 – 2018’ and ‘Value: Scottish Solway as a % of Scotland, 2009 – 2018’.

As a percentage of the total landings, the Scottish Solway is a fairly minor contributor to the Scottish fishing industry, accounting for 0.9% of the tonnage and 1.3% of the value in 2018. However, in terms of individual species, Dumfries & Galloway accounted for 96% of queen scallops, 12% of scallops and 21% of whelks landed in Scotland (by weight).

Kirkcudbright is the largest scallop landing port by tonnage and the second largest by value in Scotland. However, it should be noted that Kirkcudbright’s scallop fleet is ‘nomadic’, meaning that it does not necessarily fish in the Solway Firth (or the Irish Sea to the west). The Kirkcudbright fishing fleet is primarily active in the English Channel with some activity in the Irish Sea, and are known to fish up the North East coast of Scotland, although landings still take place in Kirkcudbright. Interestingly, mainly boats registered on the Isle of Man fish in the Solway Firth.

Tonnage: Scottish Solway as a % of Scotland, 2009 – 2018. (Source: Marine Scotland, n.d.)

Value: Scottish Solway as a % of Scotland, 2009 – 2018. (Source: Marine Scotland, n.d.)

In 2018, the level of all fish and shellfish exports from Scotland were down -6% on the previous year and -19% since 2014. Further, the percentage of total production exported was down five percentage points since 2014.

There is limited data available for the export of fish (defined as “Fish (not marine mammals), crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic invertebrates and preparations thereof” by the United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database), and only for commercial fishing and aquaculture (combined) at the Scottish level. See table below, ‘Fish and Shellfish Exports (Tonnes) Scotland, 2014 – 2018’. It is likely that this data understates the amount of Scottish fish that is exported, as a proportion of Scottish fish production is used as an input by English based fish processors which is the exported, and is therefore classified as an export from England.

Source: Marine Scotland (n.d.), HMRC
Note: Combined commercial fishing and aquaculture

It is difficult to estimate the tonnage of shellfish exported from the Dumfries & Galloway from these figures. However, around 70% of the total UK scallop catch is exported (Cappell et al, 2013) and consultation evidence also indicated that a large proportion of Scallops production is exported, primarily to France.

The map below presents a breakdown of the main landing ports in Dumfries & Galloway, with Kirkcudbright being by far the biggest and accounting for 72% of landings by tonnage.

Main Landing Port in Scottish Solway, 2018. (Source: Marine Scotland, n.d.)

The figures below, ‘Scottish Solway: Landing weight (Tonnes) by Landing Port’ and ‘Scottish Solway: Landing Value by Landing Port’, show the change in catch weight and value since 2014 by landing port. Overall, reflecting trends across the sector the catch was considerably down in the largest ports, with tonnage reductions of -52% in Kirkcudbright, -41% in Stranraer and -63% in Isle of Whithorn. By contrast, the value of catch in the major ports has increased by +9% in Kirkcudbright, +28% in Stranraer and +5% in Isle of Whithorn, again highlighting that increased prices (in particular, shellfish) have offset the decline in the weight (tonnage) landed.

Scottish Solway: Landings Weight (Tonnes) by Landing Port. (Source: Marine Scotland, n.d.)

Scottish Solway: Landing Value by Landing Port. (Source: Marine Scotland, n.d.)

Sea fisheries

Scotland - Salmon and Trout Fishing

Salmon and trout fishing in Dumfries & Galloway has experienced a steep decline in recent years, with the total number caught down by -74% since 2014 and total weight down by -76%. The decline has been even more pronounced if we consider the last ten years, with total numbers caught down by -88% and weight by -91%. This fall in catch is due to falling fish stocks and restrictions on catch numbers, see table below ‘Scottish Solway: Salmon and Trout Caught and Retained’.

Source: Marine Scotland (n.d.).

Total number caught and released has had a comparatively modest reduction, with numbers caught since 2014 down -13%, but weight up 8%. As a recreational activity, this has not been affected by catch restrictions, see table below, ‘Scottish Solway: Salmon and Trout Caught and Released’.

Source: Marine Scotland (n.d.).

The figure below,‘Scottish Solway: Retained Trout and Salmon by District’, outlines the numbers of wild salmon and sea trout caught and retained in Dumfries & Galloway by District, with particularly steep declines in Annan. Very few salmon or trout are caught in Luce, Fleet, Bladnoch or Dee.

Scottish Solway: Retained Trout and Salmon by District. (Source: Source: Marine Scotland, n.d).

The figure below, ‘Scottish Solway- Released Trout and Salmon by District’, outlines the numbers of wild salmon and sea trout caught and released in Dumfries & Galloway by District, with broadly no change except a decline in the Nith.

Scottish Solway- Released Trout and Salmon by District. (Source: Source: Marine Scotland, n.d).

The figure below, ‘Scottish Solway: Trout and Salmon Caught by Method’, outlines the numbers of wild salmon and sea trout caught in Dumfries & Galloway by method, with declines in both fixed engine and rod (retained).

Scottish Solway: Trout and Salmon Caught by Method. (Source: Source: Marine Scotland, n.d).

Consultation evidence indicates that this decline in the catch is a result of an overall decline in salmon stocks and subsequent implementation of conservation measures which limit the number of fish allowed to be caught. The reason behind the decline in salmon stocks in unclear at this stage.

The decline in the fixed engine catch, primarily haaf net fishing, is particularly concerning as this was formerly a viable – albeit small scale, traditional commercial fishery which dates back hundreds of years in the Solway. Haaf net fishing in the Solway at present is a recreational, heritage, and conservation industry rather than a commercial concern. Haaf netters are able to retain sea trout and other fish but must return any salmon caught. In 2016, Scotland brought in the The Conservation of Salmon (Scotland) Regulations 2016, prohibiting the retention of salmon caught in nets within inshore waters. Salmon can only be killed when defined conservation targets have been met, otherwise they must caught and released. The most recent Scottish river grades for the salmon conservation regulations are available here.

Stake net fishing leases near the River Annan were terminated by Dumfries and Galloway Council in 2015 amid concerning stock declines and salmon interception (BBC, 2015).

Sea fisheries

Scotland - Pressures and Impacts

An assessment of the socio-economic and environmental pressures and impacts of human activity is provided below.

Sea fisheries

England - Other Activity Measures

The table below shows the landings by selected species of shellfish, fish and total landings. A total of 1,748 Tonnes of sea fish and shellfish were landed in 2018. The vast majority (91%) was shellfish, with whelks accounting for 58% of total landings. There has been a large decline in landings in recent years, with a 31% decline since 2013, although whelk landings have bucked this trend with a 47% increase.

Source: Marine Management Organisation (n.d.)

The table below shows the value of landings by selected species of shellfish, fish and total landings. Despite the 31% fall in the total landings since 2013, the total value of the catch only decreased by 19%, due to a rise in the price of shellfish.

Source: Marine Management Organisation (n.d.)     Note: Values below £10,000 are suppressed

Across England, overall landings are down 8% from 2014. Despite the decline in landings, values have risen by 25% due to the rising price of fish. As a percentage of the total landings in England, the English Solway Firth accounts for 1.9% of the tonnage and 1.5% of the value in 2018. See figures below, ‘Tonnage: English Solway Coast as a % of England, 2014 – 2018′ and ‘Value: English Solway Coast as a % of England, 2014 – 2018′.

In terms of individual species, the English Solway Coast accounts for 9% of whelks, 6% of nephrops and 2% of scallops landed in England (by weight).

Tonnage: English Solway Coast as a % of England, 2014 – 2018. (Source: Marine Management Organisation, n.d.)

Value: English Solway Coast as a % of England, 2014 – 2018. (Source: Marine Management Organisation, n.d.)

Fish landed in the UK is often exported to foreign markets, mostly to European Union countries (76% of exports). Although data is unavailable for individual species, consultation evidence indicates that much of the shellfish caught in the Solway is exported.

Data is available at the English level, with exports being broadly stable over the last five years. It is notable that fish exports are roughly double the annual fish catch, likely due to exports from English based fish processors (such as Harbourside products discussed in Processing- fisheries and aquaculture) using fish landed or produced in Scotland as inputs, table below.

Source: Marine Management Organisation (n.d.), HMRC

The map below presents a breakdown of the main landing ports on the English Solway Coast, with Whitehaven being by far the biggest and accounting for 79% of landings by tonnage.

Main Landing Ports English Solway Coast, 2018. (Source: Marine Management Organisation, n.d.)

The figure directly below, ‘Catch Weight (Tonnes) by Landing Port’, shows the change in catch weight since 2013 by landing port. Catch is down in all ports, with tonnage reductions of 19% in Whitehaven, 50% in Silloth, 49% in Maryport and 99% in Workington.

Catch value in the major ports is also down, but by lower amounts than the catch weight, see ‘Catch Value by Landing Port’ below.

Catch Weight (Tonnes) by Landing Port. (Source: Marine Management Organisation, n.d.)

Catch Value by Landing Port. (Source: Marine Management Organisation, n.d.)

The major shellfish species caught in the Solway are not currently subject to EU quotas and therefore little in the way of EU regulation. The exception to this is Nephrops and white fish, however, there is insufficient data at the English Solway geographic area for analysis.

There are, however, minimum catch sizes set for many fish and shellfish species in order to protect the long-term sustainability of species. These are Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes, and the sizes are: 45mm for whelks, 110mm for scallops, 20mm carapace length or 70mm total length for nephrops and 87mm for lobsters.

There are 23 fishing boats currently registered in ports on the English Solway Coast, up one from 2013. Almost half (48%) of these vessels are registered at Whitehaven,  see figures below, ‘Number of Vessels registered in English Solway, 2013 – 2017′ and ‘Number of Vessels by Port in English Solway, 2017’. It should be noted that not all boats registered in the region will fish within the Solway, some will operate outside the Solway Firth, and some of the landings at ports and harbours in the Solway will be made by boats registered outwith the region.

Number of Vessels registered in English Solway, 2013 – 2017. (Source: Marine Management Organisation, n.d.)

Number of Vessels by Port in English Solway, 2017. (Source: Marine Management Organisation, n.d.) Note: vessels can be registered at the port/harbour that is nearest to their agent’s office – not necessarily where they operate or land

Sea fisheries

England - Salmon and Trout Fishing

Salmon and trout fishing on the English Solway Coast has experienced a steep decline in recent years, with the total number caught down by 23% since 2014. There has been an even steeper decline over the last ten years, with the total number caught down by 56%, see table below.

Source: Environment Agency (n.d.)

The figure below, ‘Trout and Salmon by Method, 2013 – 2017’, outlines the numbers of salmon and sea trout caught on the English Solway Coast by method, with declines in both net and rod catches. It should be noted that no distinction is made between retained and released fish, and based upon data from the Scottish Solway Coast, it is likely that the retained catch has decreased more significantly.

Trout and Salmon by Method, 2013 – 2017. (Source: Environment Agency, n.d.)

Consultation evidence indicated that the decline in the catch is due to a reduction in salmon stock and subsequent conservation measures which has limited the number of fish allowed to be caught. The reason behind the decline in salmon stocks is unclear at this stage.

The decline in the fixed engine catch, primarily haaf net fishing, is particularly concerning as this was formerly a viable – albeit small scale, traditional commercial fishery which dates back hundreds of years in the Solway. Haaf net fishing in the Solway at present is a recreational, heritage, and conservation industry rather than a commercial concern.

New fishing byelaws were brought in by the Environment Agency in 2018 for the Solway, border Esk and River Eden effecting haaf net fishing and rod fishing. Net fishing is only licensed for sea trout and salmon in certain estuaries, being prohibited elsewhere. Licence numbers were reduced for the Solway Haaf net fishery to 75 licences (down from 105) (Environment Agency (Limitation of Solway Firth Heave or Haaf Net Fishing Licences) Order 2018). The Solway Firth Heave or Haaf Net Fishing Byelaws provided the following rules;

• Close period from midnight to 6am daily (previously 10pm to 10am);
• Mandatory catch and release of all salmon (previous licence conditions allowed each licences to kill 10 salmon);
• Total of 420 sea trout killed per season, shared amongst licencees;
• Removal of the weekly close period (Saturday and Sunday). Netting can take place on any day of the week, but only between  6am through to midnight.

Limitations were also placed on rod fishing for the Border Ask and River Eden in 2018;

• Mandatory catch and release of all salmon;
• Limit of 4 sea trout per season per angler on the Border Esk;
• Limit of 2 sea trout per season per angler on the River Eden;
• Must return all female sea trout caught on or after 10th September up to and including 30th September on the Border Esk and River Eden.

These byelaws are available at the bottom of the Border Esk, River Eden and Solway Firth Net Limitation and Byelaws 2018 consultation page, available here. The measures will be in place for 10 years, until 2028, but will be reviewed in 2023.

Sea fisheries

England - Pressures and Impacts

An assessment of the socio-economic and environmental pressures and impacts of human activity is presented below.