Brussels, 11/01/2005 (Agence Europe) - According to a report published by Eurostat on Tuesday, the 25 EU member nations produced nearly 7.6 million tonnes of fishery products in 2002, or about 5% of the world total. Between 1995 and 2002, EU25 production fell by 17%, while world production rose by 17% over this period.
According to Eurostat, Denmark was the largest producer in 2002 with 1.47 million tonnes, followed by Spain (1.15 million tonnes), France (0.95 million tonnes) and the United Kingdom (0.87 million tonnes). These four Member States accounted for almost 60% of the total EU25 production. Between 1995 and 2002, nearly all Member States reported falls in production. The largest falls over this period were registered by Denmark (-570,000 tonnes or -28%), Spain (-260,000 tonnes or -18%), Poland (-200,000 tonnes or -44%) and Italy (-160,000 tonnes or -26%). Only Lithuania (+93,000 tonnes or +157%) recorded a significant increase in production.
Total catches from all regions accounted for 83% of EU25 fisheries production in 2002. Catches in the Northeast Atlantic alone, at 4.62 million tonnes, made up more than 60% of total EU25 production, with catches in the Eastern Central Atlantic and the Mediterranean accounting for 8% and 7% respectively.
Within the EEA (European Economic Area), Norway (3.29 million tonnes) and Iceland (2.15 million tonnes) were the largest producers in 2002. They both recorded an increase in production between 1995 and 2002: Norway (+490,000 tonnes or +17%) and Iceland (+520,000 tonnes or +32%).
Aquaculture produced 1.27 million tonnes of fishery products in 2002 and has expanded its share of total EU25 production from the one eighth recorded in 1995 to one sixth in 2002. Amongst the Member States, the largest aquaculture producers in 2002 were Spain (260,000 tonnes), France (250,000 tonnes), Italy and the United Kingdom (180,000 tonnes each).
15% reduction in the fishing fleet - but only 4% reduction in tonnage
Among the EU15 Member States, the largest fishing fleets in 2003 were found in Greece (19,000 vessels), Italy (15,700), Spain (14,400) and Portugal (10,300). These four Member States accounted for two thirds of the total EU15 fleet. Between 1995 and 2003, the EU15 fishing fleet fell by 15%, from 104,000 to 88,000 vessels. All EU15 Member States recorded a fall in the size of their fleets over this period, except France, which rose by 1,500 vessels. The largest falls were registered in Spain (-4,700 vessels), Italy (-3,400) and the United Kingdom (-2,700). In terms of total tonnage, the highest figures in 2003 were recorded in Spain (490,000 tonnes), France and the United Kingdom (230,000 tonnes each) and Italy (220,000 tonnes). Total tonnage declined by only 4% between 1995 and 2003, from 2.0 million tonnes to 1.9 million tonnes. The largest falls were registered in Spain (-110,000 tonnes) and Italy (-30,000 tonnes), and the largest rises in France (+50,000 tonnes) and Ireland (+30,000 tonnes).