The overall value of fish landed by Scottish vessels in 2012 is down compared to 2011, but better than the values recorded in the previous decade, according to new figures released by the Scottish government.
The total value stands at GBP 464 million (USD 711.3 million, EUR 543.6 million), according to the figures, which is a 7 percent drop from the same figure recorded in 2011, which the volumes remained about the same.
The government blamed the drop in part on changes in prices for some fish, including a 13 percent drop in the price of mackerel compared to 2011.
The statement noted, too, that the 2011 numbers represented a record high in prices, and that the 2012 numbers, while lower, are still higher than recorded values for the 10 years prior to 2011.
According to the figures, Scottish fisheries caught or exceeded 99 percent of quotas, despite a decrease in fishing vessels. The figures showed 2,044 active fishing vessels based in Scotland in 2012, which is a decrease of 51 vessels, or 2 percent, from the previous year, and the lowest number of the decade.
Shellfish values dropped too, with a total value of GBP 155 million (USD 237.6 million, EUR 181.6 million), a 5 percent drop over 2011. The government said an overall drop in volume was “a major reason” for the reduction in value.