Overview of Scotland’s Top Ten Species

Scotland remains the major region in the UK fishing industry and accounts for over 61% of all UK fleet landings. The most import species landed into Scotland in 2010 are shown in Table 1 below, they are ranked by highest value.

In 2010, crab increased in volume by 6%, also seeing an increase in value of over 15% although remains ranked number 9.



Table 1: Calculated from: Scottish Sea Fisheries Statistics, 2010. Scottish Government.
Based on all landings into Scotland.

These ten species accounted for just over 79% of the total value of landings into Scotland including Scottish, UK and foreign vessels.  In 2010, mackerel increased in value by 15%, 17% in volume and is still the most valuable species for Scotland.  Mackerel accounts for 24.6% of total landings into Scotland worth over £112 million.

These ten species (Table 1) alone accounted for 69.1% of the volume (tonnes) landed into Scotland by UK and foreign vessels.

The proportionate value of all species landed into Scotland is illustrated in Fig. 1. Nephrops and mackerel alone, account for 42% of the value to the whole industry.  The four main shellfish species; scallops, crab, lobster and langoustine, account for 27%.

Fig. 1: Calculated from: Scottish Sea Fisheries Statistics, 2009. Scottish Government, Sept. 2010.
Based on UK vessel landings into Scotland.

The total volume and value of landings can be apportioned for the pelagic, demersal and shellfish sectors as illustrated in Fig. 2 below. These proportionate values remain unchanged from the previous year.


Fig. 2: From: Scottish Sea Fisheries Statistics, 2010. Scottish Government.
Based on UK vessel landings into Scotland.