Seafish survey returns to Lochaber

VESSEL owners and skippers in Lochaber and Mull are being invited to participate in the 12th annual economic survey of the UK fishing fleet.

Researchers will be in ports from Mallaig to Oban from August 14 to August 18 to gather data on fishing and vessel costs in order to provide a comprehensive overview of the financial and operational performance of the fishing industry.

The 2017 survey hopes to uncover a similar success story to last year, which saw the UK fishing sector experience its best economic performance since 2008.

The most recent results published found that the total UK fleet income increased by 19 per cent, while the operating profit increased year- on-year by an estimated 22 per cent. The researchers will also canvass fishermen’s views on a range of current and future industry issues.

The next round of research, to be published in 2018, is crucial for uncovering the direction the industry is moving in. With the UK set to exit the EU in 2019, the survey will capture the mood on the ground and provide an insight in to the expectations and concerns of the fishing industry.