Fewer Fishermen Recorded in 2012

The 2012 figures were prepared by the Directorate of Fisheries Statistics Division and are preliminary.

The number of fishermen which have fishing as their primary occupation decreased from 10,220 in 2011 to 9,806 in 2012, a four per cent decline.

The average age of fishermen who have fishing as their primary occupation increased from 39.3 years in 1990 to 45.5 years in 2012.

The proportion of anglers under 30 years who have fishing as their main occupation in the period 1990 to 2012 has been declining, from 33 per cent in 1990 to 18 per cent in 2012. The proportion of anglers age d60 and over, who have fishing as their primary occupation, however, is increasing from 12 per cent in 1990 to 20 per cent in 2012.

There has also been little change in the number of fishing vessels. The number of fishing vessels registered in the Register only reduced by 31 vessels. The number of vessels has decreased from 6250 in 2011 to 6219 in 2012.