Electrofishing for razor clams trial: update - February 2021 to January 2022

5. Vessel activity, landings and employment

A total of 26 eligible participants were active during Year 4 of the trial. It is important to note the trial period does not fully match the calendar year. These figures may be subject to changes in future.

Active vessels were estimated to have landed approximately 793 tonnes of razor clams in Year 4 of the trial, with a nominal value of £6.1 million (Figure 1). Compared to the previous year of the trial, landings the nominal value of landings increased by 48% and 51% respectively reflecting the recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. Landings and nominal value were approximately 10% lower than levels seen in 2019, which is the high point for both landings and value. The last four years of the trial indicate a pattern of higher spring and summer landings before a reduction in autumn and winter, with some increases seen in December or January (Figure 2).

While prices fluctuate between vessels, buyers, and months the highest prices are achieved over winter (Figure 3). The average price per kilogram (kg) achieved by the trial vessels during the fourth year of the trial was estimated to be £7.80. This is slightly higher than the price achieved in Year 3 but lower than Years 1 and 2. The lowest monthly average prices were seen in July when landings were at their annual peak^[1].

The trial also supports further economic activity and employment for people in the wider supply chain supporting these vessels in Scotland, this includes processing and transportation of the product to market. The vessels active during the fourth year of the trial provide employment for around 101 people, of which 97 were regularly employed.