In 2017, the EU fishing fleet numbered 83 323 vessels with a combined gross tonnage (GT) of 1.56 million tonnes and engine power of 6.3 million kilowatts (kW). Based on data submitted by Member States under the EU MAP, there were 65 567 active vessels in 2017. Direct employment generated by the fleet amounted to 151 981 fishers, corresponding to 107 807 FTEs; on average earning EUR 28 362 in wages annually. The EU fleet* spent 4.8 million days-at-sea and consumed 2.2 billion litres of fuel to land 5.3 million tonnes of seafood with a reported value of EUR 7.6 billion. Revenue (income from landings plus other income), as reported amounted to EUR 7.7 billion while costs incurred by the fleet totalled EUR 6.4 billion (excludes fishing rights), 11% of which consisted of capital costs (EUR 688 million) and 89% of operating costs. The latter mainly consisted of labour and fuel costs (39% and 16% of total costs, respectively). The Gross Value Added (GVA) and gross profit (all excl. subsidies and fishing rights) was estimated at EUR 4.5 billion and almost EUR 2.0 billion, respectively. GVA as a proportion of revenue was estimated at 58% and gross profit margin at 26%. With a total net profit of EUR 1.3 billion in 2017, 17% of the revenue was retained as profit. This publication includes: 1) An structural and economic overview of the EU fishing fleet in 2017, with nowcasts for 2018-2019, and trend analyses for the years 2008-2017/18; 2) A regional analysis of the EU fishing fleet by major sea basin: North Sea & Eastern Arctic, Baltic Sea, North Western Waters, South Western Waters, Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, as well as, fleets operating in Other Fishing Regions, covering the EU Outermost Regions and fishing areas outside EU waters and in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, covered by Regional Fisheries Bodies (e.g. NAFO and ICCAT); 3) A detailed structural and economic overview of each EU Member State fishing fleet, including qualitative economic performance assessments for 2017 and nowcasts for 2018 and 2019.

This report was originally published by the European Commission here.