Scotland's Marine Economic Statistics 2022

This fishing section covers commercial sea fishing only. Fishing is important to Scotland’s rural and coastal economies. It feeds into Scotland’s food and drink economy and provides rural employment. Fishing data is taken from several different sources. See Data and Methodology for more information.

In 2022, fishing generated £335 million aGVA, 0.20% of the Scottish economy and 7% of the marine economy aGVA. Fishing employed 4,117 people, 0.16% of Scottish employment and 6% of marine economy employment.

From 2021 to 2022, the aGVA from fishing (adjusted to 2022 prices) remained stable, decreasing by less than 1%. In the longer term, from 2013 to 2022, fishing aGVA increased by 45%. From 2013 to 2022, employment fell by 9%.

Fishing aGVA depends largely on the price and weight of fish landed. The overall value of fish landings increased between 2021 and 2022. More information on fish landings is in the Scottish Sea Fisheries Statistics publication.

Aberdeenshire had the highest fishing aGVA at £176 million in 2022 (Figure 3), 52% of fishing aGVA. Aberdeenshire includes Peterhead, UK’s largest fishing port.

Figure 3. Aberdeenshire had the highest fishing aGVA at £176 million, followed by Shetland Islands at £83 million.

Fishing aGVA by local authority, 2022