Seafish researchers target Orkney for fishing fleet survey

Seafish is calling for fishing vessel owners and skippers in Orkney to participate in its annual economic survey of the UK fishing fleet.

Researchers will be in Orkney until August 1, to collect data on fishing and vessel costs in order to build an up-to-date picture of the UK fleet’s economic performance.

The results, to be published in 2015, are intended to help industry and policy makers better understand the socio-economic consequences of changes in fisheries management measures and the wider financial climate. This year the data will also help to assess the economic implications of the forthcoming Landings Obligation.

All vessel owners can benefit directly from participation by requesting a free financial performance benchmark report which allows performance comparisons with the average performance of other similar vessels. Participants will also be entered into a £250 prize draw.

The survey is supported by the national federations and local associations around the UK and this year there will be an added focus on the Landings Obligation and its impact.

All information provided is treated as confidential and no individual vessel figures will be revealed in any report.

Anybody interested in taking part in the survey should contact Steve Lawrence at Seafish on 0131 524 8663 or email steven.lawrence@seafish.co.uk .
The results of last year’s report can be found on the Seafish website.