Fall in value of Scrabster fish landings in 2020 reflects impact of Covid

A sharp fall in the value of fish landings at Scrabster in 2020 reflects the impact of Covid-19 on the wider sector and its markets, the harbour trust manager has said.

The continuing effects of the pandemic in the early part of this year – along with Brexit disruption – led to further volatility, according to Sandy Mackie.

However, he described the position for the second and third quarters of 2021 as more encouraging. Mr Mackie added that removing "unnecessary bureaucracy", and ensuring that regulation is fit for purpose, will allow the sector to flourish.

Marine Scotland's newly published annual report on Scottish Fisheries Statistics 2020 gives detailed statistics on fish landings in every port in the country.

The value of fish landings at Scrabster fell by 29 per cent to £27.4 million last year, and the tonnage dropped by 16 per cent to 15,300.

In Scotland as a whole the value of landings in 2020 was down 27 per cent and the tonnage fell by four per cent. The Scrabster value fall was therefore similar to the national average but the tonnage fall was noticeably worse.

The Scrabster value was 6.8 per cent of the Scottish total and the tonnage 5.3 per cent.

Highland economic consultant Tony Mackay said: "The lockdowns and restrictions are obviously the main reasons for the falls at Scrabster. The local port has very few pelagic fish landings [mackerel and herring] so that explains most of the differences with the Scottish totals last year.

"In terms of tonnage, demersal [white fish] accounted for 86 per cent of the Scrabster total and shellfish 14 four percent. The biggest white fish landings were haddock, monkfish, hake, cod and saithe. The biggest shellfish landings were crabs and squid.

"In terms of value, demersal fish accounted for 81 per cent of the total and shellfish 19 per cent. The most valuable species landed were monkfish, haddock, cod and crabs."

Mr Mackay, of Inverness-based Mackay Consultants, noted: "The Marine Scotland report shows that there were 104 registered fishing vessels at Scrabster at December 31, 2020, which was three per cent of the Scottish total of 2088. There were 159 fishers, three per cent of the national total.

"Those percentages are lower than those for the weight and value of landings, so the catch per Scrabster fisher was about double the national average.

"Nevertheless, 2020 was obviously a very disappointing year for the local fishing industry because of the Covid lockdowns and restrictions."

Mr Mackie said: "The statistical analysis covers Scrabster Port District which includes Dunbeath, Helmsdale, John O’Groats, Keiss, Lybster, Portskerra, Wick and the port of Scrabster, although the port of Scrabster will be the main component in the figures.

"The Scrabster figures are consistent with the wider position for all Scottish ports with significant falls in demersal landing values and even greater reductions in shellfish landing values. The Scrabster position on demersal fish is very much in line with the position elsewhere, and for shellfish the position is better than the other Highland port districts.

"The position reflects the impact of the pandemic on the sector and its markets.

"Turbulence and volatility continued into the first quarter of 2021 with further lockdown and the added challenge of disruption to export markets with the post-Brexit arrangements.

"The position for quarters two and three in 2021 is more encouraging and optimistic. Box landing volumes and associated revenues at Scrabster are up 15 per cent compared with the same period last year.

"The statistics highlight a challenging period for the sector and fisheries ports. It is important that government continues to work with the sector to remove unnecessary bureaucracy and ensure that regulation is fit for purpose, allowing the sector to recover and flourish."

Meanwhile, north MSP Maree Todd has described new figures from HM Revenue and Customs, revealing that fish and shellfish exports fell by £33 million between the first quarter of 2020 and 2021, as deeply troubling.

The statistics show a 45 per cent fall in the volume of exports over the same period.

Ms Todd, the SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, said: “These figures demonstrate the stark reality of Brexit.

“As an MSP who represents many coastal communities, I’m deeply troubled by these figures which reveal the financial impact of Brexit on fish and shellfish exporters.

“It’s becoming increasingly apparent that the trade deals being struck by the UK government are simply not compensating for the loss of EU markets for Scottish businesses.

“The Scottish Government continues to take steps to mitigate, as far as it can, but the consequences of Brexit are grave and go beyond the devolution powers of the Scottish Parliament.”

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