Drop in fishing jobs and catches

The value of catches has dropped

Scotland's fishing industry has continued to see decline in the number of fishermen and size of catches, according to figures.

The number of people employed in catching fish at sea fell by 900 in a year, to 5,700 at the end of 2002.

And on rivers anglers caught a total of 57,920 wild salmon and grilse, 20% fewer than the previous year and well below the four-year average.

The salmon catch reported by net fishermen was also down.

Rivers and estuaries

Scottish Executive figures showed people employed by sea fisheries fell from 6,637 at the end of 2001 to 5,707 at the end of 2002.

The value of landings by Scottish boats fell by 4%, to £328m last year, and the volume of landings fell by 9%.

A similar picture of decline emerged from figures for salmon and sea trout caught in Scotland in 2002.

Catches of spring salmon were 24% down on the previous year.

'Disappointing figures'

The salmon catch reported by net fishermen fell despite more fishing taking place.

Net and coble fisheries, mostly in rivers and estuaries, took a total of 6,796 salmon and grilse.

But the number of sea trout caught by rod and line increased by 11% to 35,469.

Deputy Environment Minister Allan Wilson said: "It is disappointing that catches of salmon, both by nets and rods, are down, but pleasing that sea trout catches have shown a moderate increase, arresting the previous year's declines."