The Environment Agency is working with the RSPB and Natural England to explore how to adapt approximately 150 hectares of the Moors at Arne into a diverse wetland habitat. The scheme is necessary to compensate for the loss of inter-tidal habitats around Poole Harbour due to rising sea levels and the need to improve and maintain coastal defences.

Next week’s drop-in event will be held on Tuesday (3 October 2017) at Wareham Town Hall from 2.00pm to 7.00pm.

When finished, the coastal change project will enable the Environment Agency and its partners to continue to protect properties around Poole Harbour from the increased risk of flooding due to climate change. It is predicted up to 10,000 local properties could be at risk within 100 years.

Important freshwater habitat and the Arne Road will continue to be protected from flooding as part of the scheme.

The loss of inter-tidal habitats through climate change and improved sea defences is known as ‘coastal squeeze’. Compensatory habitats are needed to ensure birds and other wetland species are protected and still have places to rest and feed.

Neil Watson, for the Environment Agency, said:

It is important to us the local community is involved in this project right from the start, so please come along to the drop-in session and find out more about this exciting project. We would like to hear your views.

Tony Whitehead, speaking for the RSPB, said:

We’re really looking forward to meeting people in Wareham and discussing the future of the Moors at Arne. During the day we’ll share more on the reasons why the proposals are being made and the implications for people, wildlife and landscape in this special part of Dorset.

It includes details on the UK fleet, the number of fishermen, the quantity and value of UK landings, international trade, worldwide fishing and the state of key stocks.

The report highlights that in 2016:

• the quantity and value of sea fish (which include shellfish) landed by UK vessels has decreased by 1 per cent and increased by 21 per cent respectively on 2015
• UK vessels landed 701 thousand tonnes of sea fish into the UK and abroad with a value of £936 million
• the increase in value was primarily driven by large increases in market prices, in particular, for key pelagic and shellfish species. Pelagic landings are still far higher than they were a few years ago. Mackerel and herring accounted for 44 per cent of UK fleet landings but a lower share in value (26 per cent)
• the Scottish fleet caught mainly pelagic fish. Demersal fish account for the highest share of the English fleet’s catch and shellfish are predominately caught by the Welsh and Northern Irish fleets in 2016
• the UK fishing fleet remained seventh largest in the EU in terms of vessel numbers, with the second largest capacity and fourth largest engine power
• seventy two per cent of the quantity landed by the UK fleet was caught by vessels over 24 metres in length which accounted for 4 per cent of the total number of UK vessels. These vessels tend to catch lower value pelagic fish
• around 11,800 fishermen were active in the UK. Approximately 2,300 were part-time
• Scottish vessels accounted for 65 per cent of the quantity of landings by the UK fleet while English vessels accounted for 29 per cent.
• Peterhead remained the port with the highest landings – 145 thousand tonnes with a value of £158 million
• Newlyn had the highest quantity of landings in England – 14,100 tonnes with a value of £28 million, closely followed by Brixham with 13,300 tonnes but with the higher value of £31 million
• exports of fish were little changed at 441 thousand tonnes. Imports rose by 7 per cent to 730 thousand tonnes
• world figures for 2015 showed that China caught the largest amount of fish, 15.5 million tonnes. Indonesia had the second largest catch at 6.0 million tonnes

Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ)

In addition to the annual report there will be a further breakdown of landings by Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ).

The report highlights that in 2016, the:

• UK caught the majority of its fish, 81% by quantity, in its own EEZ. With other EU member states’ EEZs being the next most important zone of capture, at 11% by quantity
• UK fleet landed 571,000 tonnes of fish worth £774 million from the UK EEZ with Mackerel, Nephrops and King Scallop landings accounting for 43% of this total value
• Northern North Sea (ICES Area Iva), worth £308 million, was the most valuable fishing area for UK vessels in the UK EEZ

We are continually working with the fishing industry to improve day-to-day management with accurate catch limits and forecasts that secure longer fisheries, while safeguarding the welfare of fish stocks.

Further information

Telephone: 0300 123 1032

Email: media@marinemanagement.org.uk

Each statistical table breaks down information by key areas, such as species and landing port. They are presented according to the chapter of the report they relate to.

The following underlying data sets provide full information on landings, both quantity and values, by vessel length (such as 10 metres and under and over 10 metre vessels), gear grouping and species.

Summary of changes to tables

The statistical tables in both the United Kingdom Sea Fisheries Statistics publication itself and accompanying tables may differ slightly from year to year. This summary details changes to the tables since 2006.

Pre-release access list

The pre-release access order 2008 restricts who can see official statistics before they’re published. Ministers and officials are provided with early access for the sole purpose of being able to respond completely when questions arise at the time of release. In line with the Release Practices Protocol, early pre-access is provided no earlier than 24 hours before release.

This release provides a compendium of statistics about woodland, forestry and primary wood processing in the UK. A summary of these statistics are available in Forestry Facts & Figures, released alongside this publication.

This release provides a summary statistics about woodland, forestry and primary wood processing in the UK. More detailed data are provided in Forestry Statistics, released alongside this publication.