Catch and landings statistics
Prior to 1984, all UK catch statistics were provided to the Fisheries Departments on a voluntary basis. Since that year the regulations of the Common Fisheries Policy have required those UK vessels which account for most of the fish caught to provide to the UK Fisheries Departments information on each trip including the main species caught, the area of capture and the quantities landed.
Additional information is collected to complete, as far as possible, the coverage of fishery activity.
The combined data provide the main source of catch and landings statistics for UK vessels. This information is used by Fisheries departments to monitor the uptake of quotas and levels of fishing activity in the various UK sea fisheries throughout the year, providing an important input into decisions taken on the management of these fisheries.
For example, the catch and landings statistics provide a system for monitoring the uptake of the UK share of stocks for which annual Total Allowable Catches are set.
In any year once the statistics indicate a quota has been taken in full, the fishery is closed.
- Monthly Return of Sea Fisheries Statistics
October 2009 (PDF 2 MB)- September 2009 (PDF 2 MB)