Thumbnail Image

Review of the techno-economic performance of the main global fishing fleets












Van Anrooy, R., Carvalho, N., Kitts, A., Mukherjee, R., Van Eijs, S., Japp, D. and Ndao, S. 2021. Review of the techno-economic performance of the main global fishing fleets. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper No. 654. Rome, FAO. 




Also available in:

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (stand-alone)
    Techno-economic performance review of selected fishing fleets in Europe 2020
    Also available in:
    No results found.

    This techno-economic performance review of selected fishing fleets in Europe presents the findings of European country level studies of fishing fleets of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The review includes financial and economic information of 42 fishing fleet segments, including demersal trawlers, purse seiners, pelagic trawlers, long-liners, coastal fishing vessels using passive gears, pots and traps fishing vessels and small-scale hand-liners. Analysis of the costs and earnings data of 42 of the main fishing fleet segments in Europe in 2016 showed that all types of vessels had a positive gross cash flow. The average net profit margin of the 41 fishing fleet segments analysed was very good with 20 percent. Eighty-five percent of the fleet segments presented positive return on fixed tangible assets (ROFTAs) of 10 percent and higher. However, 38 percent of the fleet segments demonstrated return on investment (ROI) percentages lower than 10 percent. Comparing the 2016 financial and economic performance results with those of some of the same fleet segments included in the 2002-03 review study, it is clear that general fishing fleet performance in Europe improved. All eight countries together saw a decrease in the number of fishing vessels between 2008 and 2016 of 10 percent, from nearly 60 000 to less than 54 000 vessels. Each of the countries also saw a reduction in total fleet capacity in gross tonnage (GT) and kilowatts (kW). The vessel age structure showed an increasing trend for most of the fishing fleet segments.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (series)
    Techno-economic performance review of selected fishing fleets in Asia 2020
    Also available in:
    No results found.

    This techno-economic performance review of selected fishing fleets in Asia presents the findings of six country level studies of fishing fleets in Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan and the Republic of Korea. The review includes financial and economic information of 27 major fishing fleet segments, including trawlers, gillnetters, long liners, jiggers, purse seiners, as well as pole and line fishing vessels. An analysis of the costs and earnings data of these important fishing fleet segments in Asia was carried out using national statistics of 2017 for the Japanese and the Korean fleet segments and 2018-19 survey data for the other countries. Eighty-nine percent of the 27 fishing fleet segments reported positive net cash flows. Seventy percent of the fishing fleets realized net profit margins of more than 10 percent. Eighty-one percent of the fishing fleets reported positive results in terms of their capital productivity, as theirs returns on fixed tangible assets (ROFTAs) were positive. The review shows that investments in fishing vessels and fishing operations of these major Asian fishing fleets are generally profitable. Marine capture fishing is a financially viable economic activity in all six major fishing nations included in the review. It generates enough income to cover depreciation costs, interest and loan repayments, and provides sufficient financial resources for reinvestment. Nearly 60 percent of the fishing fleets generated returns on investment (ROIs) of 15 percent and higher, which signals an attractive sector for investments. The total gross value added (GVA) of the 27 fishing fleets to the Asian regional economy was substantial and estimated at around USD 66 billion. The review also reveals a need for adequate management measures, including fleet capacity management plans, to improve the status of fish stock in the region and maintain a healthy and profitable fishing sector.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (stand-alone)
    Techno-economic performance review of selected fishing fleets in North and South America 2020
    Also available in:
    No results found.

    This techno-economic performance review of selected fishing fleets in North and South America presents the findings of four country level studies of fishing fleets in the United States of America, Brazil, Chile and Peru. The review includes financial and economic information of 21 fishing fleet segments, including shrimp and groundfish trawlers, demersal trawlers, longliners, purse seiners, dredgers as well as hook and line fishing vessels. Analysis of the costs and earnings data of these important fishing fleet segments in North and South America, using survey data from 2012 -2017 for the US fleet segments and 2018 data for the South American countries’ fleets showed that 81 percent of the fleet segments had a positive net cash flow. The net profit margins of 38 percent of the 21 fishing fleet segments were >10%. Two-thirds (67%) of the fleet segments presented positive results in terms of their capital productivity as the return on fixed tangible assets (ROFTA) was positive. Twenty four percent of the fleet segments showed return on investment (ROI) figures of twenty percent or more. A majority of the Chilean and Peruvian fleet segments had ROIs of ten percent or higher in 2018. The financial and economic performance of the fishing fleet segments is not only affected by the seafood prices, but also by the fisheries management regime in place, fish species targeted, fish stock status and fishing methods and technologies applied. The age structure of the fishing vessels shows an increasing trend for most of the fishing fleet segments in this review, which adds to the apparent profitability of the vessels in these fleet segments as depreciation and interests on loans are minimized.

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

No results found.