More than £24 million worth of fish was landed by UK fishermen in Cornwall last year, according to figures published today by The Marine Management Organisation (MMO).
The annual UK Sea Fisheries Statistics 2012 report states that Newlyn was the busiest UK administration port for fishing vessels (610 vessels).
10,741 tonnes of fish was landed by the UK fleet into Newlyn, worth £20.2 million, which was an increase in quantity from 2011 (10,309 tonnes) but a decrease in total value of the catch (£22 million).
1,405 tonnes of fish was landed in Mevagissey, worth £2.16 million, while 1,169 tonnes was landed by UK vessels in Looe, worth £2.36 million.
The report shows that the most common species landed in Newlyn was sardines (1,768 tonnes) and the most valuable species was monks/anglers (£4.2million total catch).
Nationally, the quantity of fish has increased, while the value has decreased, primarily due to a reduction in the average price of pelagic fish, driven by a fall in the market prices of mackerel.
In total, UK vessels landed 627,000 tonnes of sea fish (including shellfish) into the UK and abroad with a value of £770 million – a 5% increase in quantity but a 7% decrease in value compared with 2011.
The full report, and more detailed supplementary tables, can be seen here.
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