Fishing in the English Channel (2011)


Frédérique Turbout

Louis Shurmer-Smith

Number of fishermen (2011)

Channel area: 9 801 

French side: 6 095

English side: 3 706

Quantity of fish landed (tons, 2011)   

Channel area: 209 219

French side: 158 578

English side: 50 641

Most fished species (tons, 2011)

Scallop

Angler

Sardine

Mackerel

Number of vessels (2011)        

Channel area: 4 228

French side: 2 109

English side: 2 048

Value of catches (€, 2011)

Channel area: 522 219 684

French side: 427 814 000

English side: 94 405 684

Most important species for sale (2011)

Scallop

Sole

Norway Lobster

European Seabass

 

Of all the maritime activities practised in the Channel area, fishing is certainly one of the longest-standing. There are many ports of all sizes situated along the coast. With almost 9,800 sailors aboard some 4,200 ships, fishing continues to be a key activity for the local economy, even though it has undergone incessant restructuring and downsizing over the last 40 years.

The differences are sometimes stark between the two sides of the Channel and while there are more French than British sailors, this is mainly because the type of fishing practised is not the same. 60% of all the fishermen in the zone work in the Channel area and 40% fish in the open sea. These fishing units, which operate in the Seas west of Scotland, or the Irish Sea for example, call on larger crews over long periods.

By its configuration, the Channel still harbours a wealth of diverse species. From Penzance to Dover and from Concarneau to Dunkirk, some 210,000 tons of catches are sold every year in the 35 fish markets in the zone. Boulogne is the largest fishing port in the Channel area with 28,000 tons of fish and crustaceans sold in 2011. In England, Plymouth is the leading fishing port with almost 14,000 tons of catches. There are differences in this regard too. Some species are more profitable than others and sell for more money for the same amount fished. Scampi, monkfish (anglerfish), seabass, sole and scallop shells are among the most profitable species. In Fécamp, fishermen can get more for sole than mackerel, even though more of the latter is fished. More generally, throughout the area, scallops are the most sold and the most profitable species.

Pressure has mounted considerably on the resource at the same time as diverse protection measures have been set up. Depletion of resources elsewhere and more difficult economic balances for fishing boat owners are prompting flotillas that did not come over recent decades to come and fish in the Channel. Adjustments are sometimes difficult.

This fishing, which has shaped populations and societies for centuries, is now in fierce competition with countless other commercial, tourist and industrial practices. Although the destruction of flotillas leads to a reduction in activity, a joint and coherent approach to managing the resource and activity can only help to maintain this vital sector for the Channel area.

 

 Main fishing ports and quayside auction hall, 2011

 
Species and value at auction, 2011

 

 

 
Quantity and value of catches by quayside auction hall, 2011
Quayside auction hall
Quantity of fish landed 2011 (tons)Value (€)   Quayside auction hallQuantity of fish landed 2011 (tons)Value (€)   Quayside auction hallQuantity of fish landed 2011 (tons)Value (€)
Audierne9785 962 000   St-Guénolé-Penmar'ch13 26226 903 000   Brixham12 66626 879 000
Boulogne-sur-Mer27 90455 541 000   Loctudy3 11711 567 000   Newlyn8 60422 303 000
Brest1 7978 680 000   Loguivy-de-la-Mer1 4052 816 000   Plymouth14 12316 780 000
Cancale268823 000   Lorient16 95257 032 000   Portsmouth1 5672 562 000
Cherbourg4 89413 052 000   Roscoff6 66023 012 000   Shoreham7 31813 991 000
Concarneau8 22426 018 000   Saint-Malo1 5293 580 000   Weymouth2 5213 036 000
Dieppe3 4629 508 000   Saint-Quay-Portrieux9 15924 143 000   Eastbourne9202 183 000
Douarnenez4 9023 330 000   Erquy11 84931 463 000   Looe9162 666 000
Dunkirk9085 587 000   Port-en-Bessin7 24218 606 000   Falmouth-River-Falmouth6041 135 000
Fécamp2 1085 662 000   Grandcamp-Maisy1 5445 239 000   Hastings273807 000
Granville11 25518 558 000           Megavissey9271 886 000
Le Guilvinec17 98565 824 000           Whitstable202178 000
 Source: France Agrimer, DEFRA, 2011.
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