Fishing Industry Performing Strongly

IT was good news for the Northern Ireland fishing industry this week as the value of all fish and shellfish landings in Northern Ireland has continued a significant 25 per cent increase into 2011 compared to 2010. 

Figures just released by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Sea Fisheries Division show that in 2011 some 23,601 Tonnes of fish and shellfish were landed, with a value of £27.5 million. This compares to landings in 2010 of 23,902 Tonnes, valued at £22.1 million.

Prawns or nephrops remain by far the most important species.  With a 3% increase in the volume landed, the value of the catch rose by a massive 43%, to a total of nearly £15.6 million.

A welcome boost to Kilkeel in 2010. Prince Charles pictured on a visit to the port speaking to Alan McCulla, ANIFPO Chief Executive.

According to Alan McCulla, Chief Executive of the Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation, the very welcome increase in the value of prawn landings was  mainly as a result of strong demand for prawns outstripping supply.

“Despite the recession, demand for prawns has been stable. There has been a significant reduction in the supply, with reduced landings from outside the Irish Sea and the wider Area 7 management area.  This reduced supply cannot be put down to any one factor, but rather has come about for a variety of reasons.  Many industry commentators have been predicting for some time that a reduced supply of prawns would result in increased quayside prices and this has been proven to be correct.”

Prawns have provided the biggest earner for Co Down fishermen over the past year. 

Mr McCulla added, “At £27.5 million, the value of landings in 2011 were at the highest level in over 10 years and were a very welcome relief for most fishermen, who had battled to survive for several lean years in the face of reduced quayside prices and increased overhead costs, in particular for fuel.  These figures once again prove the resilience of the fishing fleet and wider industry. They also go a long way to dispel arguments used by some in Northern Ireland that fishing is a historic industry facing extinction.”

Within the overall figure a number of interesting facts emerge.  Ten years ago (2001) there were 4,800 Tonnes of prawns landed into County Down’s three fishing ports, valued at £8.5 million.  In 2011 the equivalent figure was 7,300 Tonnes valued at £15.6 million.  In 2001 around 800 Tonnes of cod, valued at £1.2 million was landed, compared to 156 Tonnes valued at £0.35 million in 2011. 

Mackerel landings in 2001 totaled 1,100 Tonnes valued at £0.2 million, whereas in 2011 3,200 Tonnes of mackerel with a value of £3.2 million was put ashore in Northern Ireland.  Likewise in 2001, 200 Tonnes of Queen Scallops was landed with a value of £0.2 million.  By 2011 this had increased to over 3,000 Tonnes with a value of £1.2 million.

“The volume and value of cod and other demersal fish landed into Northern Ireland could be dramatically increased if we were allowed to sustainably harvest what is available in the Irish Sea.  Instead, the figures reflect the continuation of the EU’s failed Long Term Cod Recovery Regulation. The challenge we have is getting this Regulation changed to reflect the abundance of demersal (bottom) fish in the Irish Sea.”

Northern Ireland’s Top Ten Fisheries

Data just released by DARD shows the value of all landings of fish/shellfish into Northern Ireland increased by nearly 25% in 2011, compared to 2010, while tonnage was slightly down from 23,902 Tonnes in 2010 to 23,601 Tonnes in 2011 (-1.25%)

Stock                                     2010 Value (& Position)               2011 value and Position

ALL SPECIES                               £22,113,592.75                                     £27,484,056.93

Prawns                                  £10,839,009.17 (1)                        £15,556,874.32 (1)

Mackerel                               £2,503,283.09 (2)                           £3,235,687.98 (2)

Herring                                 £1,820,929.73 (3)                           £2,585,104.38 (3)

Queen Scallops                       £1,242,180.22 (4)                           £1,219,931.10 (4)

Scallops                                £1,238, 094.98 (5)                          £1,184,816.38 (5)

Horse Mackerel                       £201,988.52 (n/a)                           £504,397.02 (6)

Crabs (excl. Velvets)               £865,534.57 (5)                              £500,123.34 (7)

Lobsters                                £549,258.18 (7)                              £438,725.36 (8)

Cod                                      £633,845.06 (6)                              £345,566.08 (9)

Haddock                               £448,940.53 (8)                              £326,485.88 (10)