In 2022, there were around 8,000 registered commercial fishermen,
a decline of over 2000 in 10 years.
UK fleet landed 680,000 tonnes in 2023
85% of seafood caught in the UK is exported
The UK imports almost all of the seafood it eats
On the surface, fisheries statistics show what we take out of the ocean, who catches it and where it goes, but it’s so much deeper than that. They reflect real-world issues, changes and challenges; they show shifts in policy, changes in the environment and increasing pressures on species and livelihoods. Understanding what’s happening with and to our fishing industry on a deeper level is essential if we are going to protect ocean health, secure sustainable food systems, and support coastal communities.
That’s where I come in. With fisheries management and commercial fishing being complex, technical and rarely explained in a way that’s accessible to everyone, I’m here to break it down, simply, clearly, and with real-world relevance. The more of us who understand how fisheries are managed in the UK and why, the better equipped we are to make informed choices, challenge misinformation and support a future where both the ocean and coastal communities can thrive.
Below is the first video in the ‘Fisheries 101’ series, a short animated video covering 9 facts about UK seafood and commercial fishing with added context from my time working with the UK fishing fleet.
Video transcript
In 2022 there were around 10,000 commercial fishermen in the UK, But their numbers have been reducing, and have declined by over 2000 during the last 10 years, losing predominantly single manned under 12m vessels.
There are around 5500 fishing vessels that hold a commercial fishing licence in the UK, with nearly 80% of them being under 10m In length.
Despite making the majority, around 85% of the seafood landed in the UK, is done so by vessels over 10m in length.
On a whole, the narrative is that larger vessels catch more fish because they are more capable, able to stay at sea for longer and catch larger amounts at a time which whilst true, is not the full extent of the issue.
Larger vessels can catch more fish because they are literally allowed to do so, over 10m vessels despite, making up only 21% of the UK fleet, are allocated 95% of the UKs fishing quota.
Quota disparity is a real issue for the survival of the smaller, more sustainable, inshore fishermen, and is a topic we’ll cover further in future videos!
So what seafood does the UK eat?
The top 5 species make up 85% of the seafood consumed, and unfortunately despite the fact the UK fleet landed 680,000 tonnes of seafood in 2023, the top 5 species landed doesn’t match the top 5 eaten in the UK.
This makes The uk a net importer of seafood products – which means they import more than they export.
The top 5 species imported, matches the top 5 species eaten. Highlighting a need for us to learn how to swap out our past favourites for options coming from UK waters, caught by UK fishermen.
But why do these facts matter?
It’s important that we understand what’s happening with and to our fishing industry, this allows us to drive the market – by supporting the sustainable fishing that is currently happening, it increases demand for sustainable seafood products, which in turn drives innovation and further adoption of sustainable methods
To transition to even mbetter sustainable management the fishing industry will need support,
We can support them by purchasing local, and by purchasing seafood products that utilise lower impact methods.
If you’ve enjoyed this video and want to learn more about the UKs fishing industry, look out for our ‘fisheries 101’ series on our YouTube channel or head to anoceanwarrior.com and sign up for the newsletter to be sure to receive the latest ocean science content!
Thank you to all my subscribers, and I’ll see you next time, Ocean Warrior!