Seafood facts and myths

We are able to provide a range of valuable information about the seafood industry. Here are some of the key facts, followed by information about common seafood 'myths'.

Consumer purchases of seafood exceeded £5 billion in 2009.

The processing sector is worth in excess of £4bn.

The catching sector is worth more than £700m. 

Around 720,000 tonnes of seafood worth £2.2bn was imported in 2009.

In 2009, more than 479,000 tonnes of seafood worth £1.2bn was exported.

There are 12,212 fishermen working on more than 6,500 active vessels.

More than 14,700 people work in 480 fish processing centres.

Fishing at sea is one of the most dangerous occupations in the UK.

Seafood myths

There will be no fish left in the sea by 2048?
This statement is based on a now discredited 2006 study by Professor Boris Worm, a marine conservation biologist at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada. In fact, Professor Worm believes 80 per cent of the world's fisheries are now in good shape (July 2009).

Stocks of North Sea cod are at dangerously low levels?
In the past decade these stocks have recovered by close to 50 per cent. Scientists from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea believe much of this increase can be attributed to conservation work.

Once fisheries have been depleted they cannot be rebuilt?
No. The US has successfully rebuilt five Eastern Seaboard fisheries, including swordfish. This proves that a managed stock can recover to its full potential, even when fishing is still allowed.

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