1.4.7 Other Primary Industries
The Fishing Industry
- The UK has almost succeeded in meeting targets for fleet reduction set under Multi-annual Guidance Programme IV (MGP IV). Although some fleet segments still show over-capacity, the UK was outside its intermediate targets in terms of tonnage by only 0.5%. To date, 547 vessels have been decommissioned, and the UK is currently preparing a further scheme to address some of the areas of over-capacity during 1999-2000.
- This explains the trends shown in Tables 1.33 and 1.34, where the trends for the South West mirror the national trend. It is likely that future changes in fishing quotas under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) both the quantity and value of the Region's catch will continue to decline.
- In 1997 the value of fish landings in the South West by UK vessels was £62.8 million. The Region's ports accounted for 51.2% by quantity (see Table 1.33) and 52.1% by value (see Table 1.34) of all landings at English ports.
Table 1.33: Fish Landings in the South West - Quantity (Source: MAFF UK Sea Fisheries Statistics, 1997)
| 11.2 |
17.6 |
47.6 |
28.8 |
8.7 |
| 10.9 |
12.0 |
17.5 |
18.5 |
13.4 |
| 10.1 |
11.1 |
12.0 |
11.5 |
12.3 |
| 9.0 |
9.2 |
10.3 |
10.3 |
8.9 |
| 0.8 |
1.6 |
0.9 |
1.2 |
1.3 |
| 2.0 |
2.0 |
2.6 |
2.7 |
2.2 |
| 0.9 |
1.2 |
1.8 |
1.4 |
13.1 |
| 1.2 |
1.3 |
1.3 |
1.3 |
1.7 |
| 46.1 |
56.0 |
94.0 |
75.7 |
61.6 |
| 43.4 |
47.2 |
60.0 |
56.3 |
51.2 |
| 106.3 |
118.6 |
156.7 |
134.4 |
120.3 |
Table 1.34: Fish Landings in the South West - Value (Source: MAFF UK Sea Fisheries Statistics, 1997)
| 1.7 |
2.9 |
6.4 |
5.1 |
3.8 |
| 4.0 |
4.8 |
6.5 |
10.4 |
8.7 |
| 19.5 |
21.8 |
23.7 |
22.7 |
23.4 |
| 13.8 |
14.8 |
17.7 |
18.3 |
15.8 |
| 0.8 |
1.8 |
1.0 |
1.3 |
1.8 |
| 2.1 |
2.3 |
3.1 |
3.5 |
3.1 |
| 1.2 |
1.8 |
1.8 |
1.7 |
3.7 |
| 2.4 |
2.2 |
2.3 |
2.2 |
2.5 |
| 45.5 |
52.4 |
62.5 |
65.2 |
62.8 |
| 42.9 |
45.4 |
50.6 |
52.6 |
52.1 |
| 106.0 |
115.5 |
123.6 |
123.9 |
120.5 |
- Although the fleet's catch is landed into a number of ports throughout the region, the region's three main ports are Newlyn, Brixham and Plymouth which between them account for catches totalling 34,6000 tonnes, to the value of £47.9m. The region also has a number of very small ports, many of which make only a minimal contribution to the industry, both locally and nationally. Nonetheless, the importance of the industry to these ports cannot be overstated due to the dependence of their economies on the employment generated through support of the fishing fleet.
- In terms of employment the fishing industry is not one of the main sectors in the South West. However, it is still an important industry in certain parts of the Region, particularly in Devon and Cornwall. As with the UK overall, the South West has experienced a decline in the numbers employed in the fishing industry as shown by the membership figures for the Region's producer organisation. However, this shows that the rate of decline has not been as great in the South West as in the UK as a whole. Between 1993 and 1998 numbers in the South West declined by 21.5% compared with 39.5% in the UK. In common with the UK catching sector, the South West's industry is made up of small units, with a great many family businesses centred on a single vessel.
Table 1.35: South West Fish Producer Organisation Membership (Source: MAFF UK Sea Fisheries Statistics, 1997)
| 1993 |
135 |
3.6 |
| 1994 |
121 |
3.4 |
| 1997 |
108 |
4.2 |
| 1998 |
106 |
4.7 |
- The fishing industry takes on a greater significance in the Region when considered in conjunction with the distribution and fish processing sectors. These support industries are also of vital importance - it is estimated that for every person directly employed in fishing, there are 3.5 support jobs. At the UK level the provision of sea fish for human consumption constitutes an industry with an estimated 100,000 employees. The industry produces, processes and markets a product valued at £1.3 billion a year - one third from UK vessels and another two thirds imported. The UK also exports about £500m of fish. The processing sector within the region has been experiencing better fortunes, in employment terms, than the catching sector. Since 1987, there has been a general upward trend. The majority of the region's catch, however, is iced, boxed and exported, and a substantial proportion of the remainder is processed at Grimsby. The economic benefits from added value, therefore, are enjoyed mainly outside of the Region.
- The future for the industry is currently uncertain with the CFP beyond 2002 being currently under review, the PESCA initiative (see Section 1.5.1) due to cease at the end of 1999 and further developments likely to come from European legislation, such as the Working Time Directive.
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Mining, Quarrying and Other Extractive Industries
- Despite significant mine and quarry closures with resultant job losses (see Tables 1.36 and 1.37), mining and quarrying remains an important primary industry, particularly in Devon and Cornwall. The industry provides skilled employment opportunities in major exporting firms although employment remains mainly full-time rather then part-time, and is also heavily male dominated. The industry has significant environmental impacts, and this matter is increasingly being addressed by the implementation of new legislation, and the requirement for the industry to comply with tighter environmental controls.
Table 1.36: Employment in Mining and Quarrying (Source: ONS/NOMIS Annual employment Survey 1997)
| 5,699 |
-8.0 |
5,595 |
-7.8 |
10.4 |
-18.1 |
| 7.5 |
- |
7.7 |
- |
0.4 |
- |
| 75,517 |
15.1 |
72,895 |
13.8 |
2,611 |
66.5 |
Table 1.37: Business units in Mining and Quarrying (Source: ONS/NOMIS Annual employment Survey 1997)
| 374 |
-4.3 |
| 10.3 |
- |
| 3629 |
-2.0 |
- The significant mineral types found in the Region include aggregates (crushed rock and sand), coal and hydrocarbons (oil and gas), china and ball clay and building stone.
- The South West is the second largest region in the production of crushed rock and the fourth largest producer of land-won sand and gravel. However, the production of sharp sand and gravel from the Upper Thames and south east Dorset is likely to become increasingly constrained by environmental considerations. There are also considerable reserves of carboniferous limestone in the north of the Region (Mendip Hills and the former area of Avon). These parts of the industry are directly dependent on the construction industry for demand of its products. Their production declined significantly in the early 1990s as road and house building declined but it is likely that production will be sustained at present levels for the foreseeable future.
- Cornwall has high quality deposits of china clay, whilst Devon and Dorset have high quality deposits of both china clay and ball clay. The Region contains all of the UK production of ball clay (Devon accounting for 80% of production and Dorset producing the other 20%). About 90% of production is exported, generating in the region of £30m in export sales each year. Furthermore, it supports a UK ceramics industry with annual sales of £1,000m, employing 30,000 people. The ball clay industry in Devon has about 650 direct employees, and supports many more local jobs in service industries.
- In Devon and Cornwall, it is estimated that the china clay industry contributes more than £150m a year to the local economy with about 80% of production being exported. Although there has been a decrease in production of china clay in recent years (with the consequent fall in unemployment), production of ball clay remains buoyant. Both ball and china clay extraction are likely to remain a significant source of employment and contributor to the local and national economies.
- Building stone is important in maintaining the historic fabric and distinctive character of the Region. The diverse geology of the Region provides wide range of stone including the limestones of the Cotswolds, Portland, and Purbeck, plus the granites and slates of Cornwall.44 They were traditionally quarried for local construction purposes and, in some instances, particularly slate and granite, for export to wider markets. There is, therefore, potential for expansion in this sector which could be encouraged through a regional marketing initiative. Whilst overall job numbers created might not be large, they are likely to be significant in the rural communities where the resources are found.
- The Wareham and Wytch Farm oilfield in Dorset is the largest onshore oilfield in western Europe and the sixth largest producer of crude petroleum in the UK. Environmental and technical constraints may limit extensive future development.
- Although there are extensive coal reserves in the Region, coal is only mined on a small scale in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire. Large scale exploitation would be environmentally damaging
- Planning permission has been granted for opencast mining for Tungsten ore at Hemerden Mine, Plymouth, but there is no indication of commencement of operations due to world financial developments. Likewise any work building on the exploratory drilling for gold in Devon must wait before its potential can be fully assessed.
- Principal areas for training would be to acquire specific skills related to business needs, for general professional updating and development, and as a result of legislation. There is an encouraging level of interest and requirement for training technicians. Training in environmental legislation and management; information technology; safety training; and management skills will be of particular importance. The Region retains a major training facility for the industry at the Camborne School of Mines (CSM, part of the University of Exeter). CSM is a nationally recognised quarrying, mining and environmental research and training centre.
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Page last modified:
17 August, 2005
Page published: 1 October, 2000
