Review Of The Techno Economic Performance Of The Main Global Fishing Fleets

This review of the techno-economic performance of the main global fishing fleets discusses the outcomes from 20 country-level studies of fishing fleets from Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America. It includes financial, socio-economic and technical information from 103 major (semi-) industrial fishing fleet segments, which are responsible for an estimated 39 percent of marine capture fisheries production worldwide. The analysis of vessel characteristics reveals substantial differences in fishing capacity (in terms of vessel length, tonnage and power) between fleet segments. An increase in the gross tonnage of average vessels was observed in fleet segments also covered in previous reviews. Substantial increases in average length overall and engine power were observed in several Asian fishing fleets. The age structure of the fishing fleets in most regions, except Asia, shows an upward trend. An analysis of the costs and earnings data showed that labour and running costs were the two main cost components for the majority of fleet segments. Ninety-two percent of 97 fleet segments reported a positive net cash flow in the year they were surveyed, in the 2016–2019 period. Net profit margins of 10 percent or more were realized by average fishing vessels in 73 percent of the fleet segments. Returns on investment (ROIs) of 10 percent or higher were realized by 61 percent of the fleet segments. The review also discusses developments in fishing technologies. These developments, along with a general increase in seafood prices, successful fisheries management in some areas, and improved fleet capacity management in Europe and North America, have all contributed to the ongoing, positive financial and economic performance of the main global fishing fleets in recent years.

This review of the techno-economic performance of the main global fishing fleets discusses the outcomes from 20 country-level studies of fishing fleets from Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America. It includes financial, socio-economic and technical information from 103 major (semi-) industrial fishing fleet segments, which are responsible for an estimated 39 percent of marine capture fisheries production worldwide. The analysis of vessel characteristics reveals substantial differences in fishing capacity (in terms of vessel length, tonnage and power) between fleet segments. An increase in the gross tonnage of average vessels was observed in fleet segments also covered in previous reviews. Substantial increases in average length overall and engine power were observed in several Asian fishing fleets. The age structure of the fishing fleets in most regions, except Asia, shows an upward trend. An analysis of the costs and earnings data showed that labour and running costs were the two main cost components for the majority of fleet segments. Ninety-two percent of 97 fleet segments reported a positive net cash flow in the year they were surveyed, in the 2016-2019 period. Net profit margins of 10 percent or more were realized by average fishing vessels in 73 percent of the fleet segments. Returns on investment (ROIs) of 10 percent or higher were realized by 61 percent of the fleet segments. The review also discusses developments in fishing technologies. These developments, along with a general increase in seafood prices, successful fisheries management in some areas, and improved fleet capacity management in Europe and North America, have all contributed to the ongoing, positive financial and economic performance of the main global fishing fleets in recent years.

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.

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.

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.

"The Expert Meeting on Methodologies for conducting fishing fleet techno-economic performance reviews was held in Chennai, India, 18-20 September 2018. The Meeting was attended by fisheries economists from China, European Union, India, Indonesia, Norway, Thailand, United Kingdom and the United States of America. The Meeting was co-organized by the Bay of Bengal Programme - Intergovernmental Organization (BOBP-IGO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The Meeting brought together a group of key fisheries economists with experience in fishing fleet reviews to: 1) present and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various methodologies applied for reviewing the economic and technical performance of fishing fleets, 2) develop and agree on a general sampling/survey methodology for conducting technoeconomic performance reviews, which can be applied also in developing countries, and 3) discuss technological innovations that have taken place in the last 10 years that had an impact on the economic and financial performance of fishing fleets. The Expert Meeting agreed on data and information to be collected in the 2018-2019 surveys for the FAO global review of techno-economic performance of fishing fleets and on the financial and economic indicators to be applied in the analysis."--Page 4 of cover.

The 2022 edition of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture coincides with the launch of the Decade of Action to deliver the Global Goals, the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. It presents how these and other equally important United Nations events, such as the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA 2022), are being integrated and supported through Blue Transformation, a priority area of FAO’s new Strategic Framework 2022–2031 designed to accelerate achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in food and agriculture. The concept of Blue Transformation emerged from the Thirty-fourth Session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries in February 2021, and in particular the Declaration for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, which was negotiated and endorsed by all FAO Members. The Declaration calls for support for “an evolving and positive vision for fisheries and aquaculture in the twenty first century, where the sector is fully recognized for its contribution to fighting poverty, hunger and malnutrition.” In this context, Part 1 of this edition of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture reviews the world status of fisheries and aquaculture, while Parts 2 and 3 are devoted to Blue Transformation and its pillars on intensifying and expanding aquaculture, improving fisheries management and innovating fisheries and aquaculture value chains. Blue Transformation emphasizes the need for forward-looking and bold actions to be launched or accelerated in coming years to achieve the objectives of the Declaration and in support of the 2030 Agenda. Part 4 covers current and high-impact emerging issues – COVID-19, climate change and gender equality – that require thorough consideration for transformative steps and preparedness to secure sustainable, efficient and equitable fisheries and aquaculture, and finally draws some outlook on future trends based on projections. The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture aims to provide objective, reliable and up-to-date information to a wide audience – policymakers, managers, scientists, stakeholders and indeed everyone interested in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

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