Brussels: The total value of fisheries products landed in the EU reached £5.5 billion in 2024. The EU's fish catch was estimated at 3.2 million tonnes, taken from the seven marine areas covered by EU statistics.
According to Emirates News Agency, the value of fish landings was highest in Spain, accounting for 30% of the EU total. France followed with 16%, and Denmark with 13%. In terms of weight, the top three countries remained the same. The Spanish fishing fleet caught 21% of the total fish mass, ahead of France at 15% and Denmark at 14%.
Figures published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, to mark World Fisheries Day celebrated on 21 November, indicated that the majority (71%) of the fish catch made by the EU's fishing fleet was in the Northeast Atlantic. The key species caught in this area were herring (19%), blue whiting (17%), sprat (13%), and mackerel (10%).
9% of the total EU catch was taken in the Mediterranean and Black Seas, with sardines and anchovies being the main species fished there, each accounting for 18%. Another 7% of the total EU catch was taken in the Eastern Central Atlantic area. The main catches in this area were yellowfin tuna and horse mackerel, accounting for 27% and 25% of the total catch there, respectively. Other key species caught were skipjack tuna (9%) and mackerel (8%).
The Western Indian Ocean area contributed 6% to the total EU catch, with three tuna species dominating the take, accounting for 94% of the total. These were skipjack (54%), yellowfin (33%), and bigeye tuna (7%). Another 5% of the EU catch came from the Southwest Atlantic area, mainly consisting of hake (72%) and squid (17%). The remaining 2% of the total catch was taken in the Northwest and Southeast Atlantic region.