EDINBURGH, Scotland, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Despite declines in fish landed by Scottish vessels, mackerel remained the most valuable species with a 2010 catch valued at $179 million, the government said.
New sea fisheries statistics published by Edinburgh showed more than 367 tons of fish were landed by Scottish vessels last year. The figures were somewhat lower than in previous years but, at slightly less than $711 million, it was a more profitable year than in every year except for 2009, the government said.
Scotland said there was an 11 percent decrease in the volume of mackerel landings because of a decrease in quotas stemming from management plans for that species. The decline was also attributed to an 8 percent decline in real-term prices for mackerel.
"In spite of this fall in value, mackerel remained the most valuable species to the Scottish fleet in 2010 at $178.7 million," the government said.
The Scottish government said it was expecting the European Commission to introduce sanctions against the Faroe Islands and Iceland for overfishing mackerel in the region. Edinburgh said they are both taking on more mackerel than their internationally agreed upon share.
The European Union is working to address a common fisheries policy aimed at rebuilding its fisheries industry.
