The UK fishing fleet comprises over 6,000 vessels, almost 80% of which are under 10m in length. In 2018, landings brought £989 million into the UK economy, although 90% of this was brought in by a relatively low number of larger vessels. How this income translates into supporting fishing communities is a complex matter.
The fisheries sector can be challenging to work in for a number of reasons, including sporadic income, unsociable working hours and risks to health and safety. These social factors, and others, can be reflected in entire coastal communities. Reports have highlighted that a substantial number of fishing communities suffer from socioeconomic deprivation.
Our first open meeting of 2020 will examine the issues and complexities that arise in fishing communities, and how action could address them. We will hear from voices from across the sector about how to utilise collective effort to improve the social and economic sustainability of these communities.
For more details, contact us at secretariat@fisheriesappg.org.