Earnings up for fishing fleet

Value of fish landings up 4%

Scotland's fishing fleet saw its earnings increase by 4% cent last year, according to statistics.

Scottish-based fishing boats accounted for 66% of the United Kingdom's total catch.

Despite the problems faced by the industry of tighter European Union quotas, the fish landed at quaysides north of the border was worth £343m.

Figures released by the Scottish Executive show the earnings from the sea went up although the amount of fish caught was down by 6% on the previous year.

It disguises the fact that our costs were up 15%

Hamish Morrison

Peterhead is the busiest port in Scotland with landings of 84,600 tonnes worth £60m.

Last December, the European Union agreed deep cuts in catch quotas, continuing a recent trend.

The figures have been welcomed by the Scottish Fishermen's Federation Chief Executive, Hamish Morrison:

Hamish Morrison: Reassured

He said: "I think the commercial performance showing moderate growth in what was arguably our worst year in recent times is reassuring.

"But it disguises the fact our costs were higher because of increases in the price of fuel.

"The 4% increase in earnings was offset by an increase in our operating costs of the order of 15%."

The most recent quota cuts ordered by the EU are among the biggest for a decade and follow scientific evidence that several fish species are on the verge of extinction in some areas.