Fishing industry in England
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ToursExplore Lably’s 3D toursThe UK fishing industry contributed £446 million in 2019 in terms of GVA); this represents 0.02% of the UK's total GVA. Updated statistics from Marine Management Organisation on the UK fishing sector show that UK vessels landed 724 thousand tonnes of sea fish in 2017, with a value of £980 million. In 2021, 53% of fishers in the UK were based in England. The largest English region was the South West, contributing 10% of overall output in the sector.
The fishing industry in England catches a variety of different fish and seafood, including North Sea Cod, North Sea Whiting, North Sea Haddock, Southern Sea Crab, West of Scotland Nephrops and Eastern English Channel Scallops. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is the government department responsible for fisheries in England.
Geographical spread of ports
Important English seafishing ports include:
- Brixham
- Fleetwood – home of the Fisherman's Friend
- Grimsby – once the largest fishing port in the world
- Lowestoft
- Newlyn
- Whitby
- Kingston upon Hull
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History
The fishing industry in England was once one of the largest in the world. As a response to declining stocks, the Common Fisheries Policy imposed quotas on the amount of catch permitted to be brought ashore. This prevented a collapse in the industry and cod has since been reclassified as sustainable.
Fish processing
Fish processing companies are based in Grimsby (Young's Bluecrest), Whitby (Whitby Seafoods) and Lowestoft (Birds Eye).
Organisations
Regulation
The Marine Management Organisation implements the sea fisheries legislation in England.
Industry organisations
The National Fishing Heritage Centre in Grimsby displays how the fishing industry in England once was. Also in Grimsby is the Sea Fish Industry Authority (SeaFish) which promotes the consumption of fish, and conducts research for the fishing and fish-processing industry. The Fishermen's Mission is a Christian charity supporting fishermen and their families.