Brussels, 20/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - The 2014 annual economic report by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF), published on Monday 19 January, shows that the EU fishing fleet is increasingly profitable and fuel efficient.
The report indicates that the EU fishing fleet was generally profitable in 2012, generating €6.9 billion in revenue. Roughly half of the total revenue went in salaries and profits for the fishing communities. Most national fleets show a positive trend over the period 2002-2012. “However, despite signs of a recovery, the impact of the fuel crisis that peaked in 2003 and 2008 demonstrates the vulnerability of the EU fleet to external shocks”, states the report. Projections for 2013 suggest decreased revenue for nine out of the 15 member state fleets assessed.
The STECF report also highlights “significant progress” in fuel efficiency. Fuel consumption and fuel use intensity decreased by 10% from 2008 to 2012. This improvement is the result of EU-backed fuel-efficient fishing gear, fleet reduction, changes in fishing behaviour and fleet dynamics. Employment on board EU fishing vessels was 151,383 in 2012, declining on average 2% per year from 2008 to 2012. In contrast, the average salary per employee increased over the same period.
For further information: https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/publication/eur-scientific-and-technical-research-reports/2014-annual-economic-report-eu-fishing-fleet-stecf-14-16-scientific-technical-and-economic (LC)