The blue economy in the EU
represents 5.4 million jobs and
generates almost €500 billion a year.
The EU fishing fleet is an integral
contributor to this vital part of the
European economy.
The EU fleet is the best monitored and
controlled in the world.
116, 094 Fishermen
115, 651 Processors
In some European coastal communities more than half of the local jobs are in the fishing sector.
87,445 Vessels
29 times as many vessels as the entire world’s navies combined
All vessels can operate sustainably
Large and small vessels are interdependent. Port infrastructures rely on the continuity of landings from large vessels to operate sustainably
Big vessels are able to target stocks not accessible to small vessels
Big doesn’t mean bad! Size has no bearing on catching capacity; for example, 80% of a freezer trawler is taken up by processing and freezing facilities
Big and small vessels work together to guarantee continuity of supply
That’s a lot of fish - but we have a lot of people to feed
The weight of an average year’s catch is equivalent to...
669 x Eiffel Towers
2,475,538 x London Taxis
27,938,217 x Little Mermaid statues
11,111 x Christ the King statues
337 x Leaning Tower of Pisas
61,888,455 x Highland cabers
That’s 48 billion meals, enough to feed everyone
in the European Union 96 times.
A healthy diet should include at least two portions of fish a week, including one of oily fish
1 Tuna
2 Cod
3 Salmon
4 Pollack
5 Herring
6 Mussel
7 Hake
8 Mackerel
has increased from 2 in 2003
to 36 in 2015
The industry works with scientists and governments to ensure stocks are fished at sustainable levels.
There has been a 50% reduction in fishing pressure across all stocks in the North East Atlantic due to stocks recovering.
The number of fish stocks within safe biological limits has gone from 12 in 2003 to 21 in 2014.
In one year, the value of landings in EU countries was €7,046,200,000
That’s enough to buy six of the biggest clubs in Europe
these include fishermen, market workers, processors, distributors, and fishmongers.
80,000 Fishermen
12 Organisation
45,000 Vessels
9 Countries
See the interactive map below for more information on Europêche’s member countries
