Decline in fish landings persists, data shows

The number of small fishing boats registered in Guernsey continued to decline

The number of fish being landed in Guernsey is continuing to decline, according to new figures from the States.

The Sea Fisheries annual bulletin showed 989.2 tonnes were landed in 2023 - a 10% drop in landings compared with the previous year.

Shellfish landings dropped significantly to 845.76 tonnes, down from 1018.61 tonnes in 2022, the figures showed.

The number of small boats registered in the island has also seen a decline, with 114 registered, continuing a long-term downward trend from 171 in 2010.

Six boats measuring longer than 10m (33ft) remained registered in Guernsey's waters, the figures showed.

The report blamed the reduction in small boats for the decline in edible crab and spider crab landings.

The statistics show a period before a noted increase in the number of octopus being found in local waters, which some fishers have said had severely impacted their catch in recent years.

Octopus have reportedly decimated local fish stocks in recent years

The Committee for Economic Development blamed "staff shortages" for the late publication of the data and said statistics for the 2024 season "are currently being compiled" and should be ready later this week.

An increase in the number of wet fish landed from 85.28 tonnes to 143.44 tonnes was largely pinned on a rise in blonde ray catches.

The popularity of longlining continued to nosedive, with the latest statistics showing a multi-year decline, with 23,660 hooks set in 2023, a decrease of 11,280 hooks from the previous year.