Huge rise in value of fish landings at Scrabster
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The value of fish landed at Scrabster harbour in February rose by £468,000.
The value rose from £2.677 million to £3.145 million – an increase of 18 per cent on the same month last year.
The tonnage also rose by 13 per cent from 1213 to 1372 tonnes, making the Caithness port the fourth busiest in Scotland, according to a report published by the Marine Management Organisation.
The top Scottish port was Peterhead with fish landings valued at £10.5 million and a tonnage of 13,048 followed by Fraserburgh with £3.9 million and a tonnage of 2883. In third place was Lerwick in Shetland with almost £3.6 million and a tonnage of 2282.
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The value of fish landings in Kinlochbervie in Sutherland increased by 165 per cent from £403,000 to £1.066 million in that 12-month period while its tonnage figures went up by 170 per cent from 181 to 489 tonnes.
Ullapool in Wester Ross had a 13 per cent increase in landings from £1.086 million to £1.224 million. Its tonnage rose by eight per cent from 402 to 435 tonnes.
Commenting on the figures, Inverness-based economist, Tony Mackay, said: "Overall, there was a 10 per cent increase in the value of fish landings in Scotland to just over £30 million, compared with February 2023, and a massive 63 per cent increase in tonnage to 23,506.
“That is much better than the UK totals, which were a six per cent increase in value and a 42 per cent increase in tonnage.
“Scotland accounted for 59.8 per cent of the UK value and 65.9 per cent of the tonnage of fish landed.
“However, these changes resulted in a significant fall in the average value to £1297 a tonne, down from £1922 in February 2023."
Mr Mackay added: "Peterhead is by far the busiest fishing port in the UK, accounting for 35 per cent of the total Scottish value and 21 per cent of the total UK value in February.
“The tonnage shares were 56 per cent of the Scottish total and 37 per cent of the UK. There was a surprising eight per cent fall in value but a big 73 per cent increase in tonnage landed.
"Fraserburgh was the second busiest port, accounting for 13 per cent of the Scottish value and 12 per cent of the tonnage. Lerwick ranked third (with 12 per cent and 10 per cent shares) and Scrabster fourth with 10 per cent and 6 per cent respectively."
The landings were by all UK and foreign vessels.
