Number of Fishing-Related Jobs, 
East Grampian

Key Findings

  • Around 5,125 people are employed in fishing and fish processing in East Grampian.
  • The 2009 State of the East Grampian Coast Report stated that 1382 people were employed in fishing in the area. This suggests a significant increase in fishing jobs in the area.
  • The East Grampian area accounts for 39.5% of all Scottish Fishing Jobs and 31% of all Scottish fish processing jobs.
  • Numbers of people employed in the fishing sector was on an upward trend between 2015 and 2019, but saw a reduction in 2020. This is possibly linked to restrictions brought about due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. In 2021, numbers recovered to just below 2019 levels.
  • Numbers of people employed in fish processing remained stable between 2015 and 2018, but has reduced in subsequent years. The reason for the decline is not clear, perhaps due to lack of demand or difficulties in attracting workers.
  • Trend data for employment in fishing and fish processing suggests that there has been an increase in the number of jobs in East Grampian communities between 2015 and 2021.

 

In 2021, fishing and fish processing accounted for 2.7% of all jobs in the coastal communities in the East Grampian coastal partnership area, compared to 0.2% nationally. 

Restricted local area data shows that within East Grampian, fishing related jobs are heavily concentrated in Fraserburgh, Peterhead, and the small communities between these two towns. Fish processing employment is most heavily concentrated in Fraserburgh. There are also large concentrations of employment around Peterhead and Cruden Bay, and a smaller but still significant cluster of jobs in Aberdeen.

Notes

None

Linked Information Sheets

Seafood Landings by Value into the North East of Scotland - Employment in the fishing industry offshore- Employment in the fishing industry onshore- Markets for Seafood - Fraserburgh Harbour, Peterhead Harbour - Aberdeen Harbour - Small Harbours north of Aberdeen - Small Harbours South of Aberdeen – Status of key commercial species – Numbers of fishing vessels – Training - Employment - Mackerel line catch value

Key sources of Information

Scottish Sea Fisheries Statistics 2021

Office for National Statistics (2023), Business Register and Employment Survey data for 2021

2009 State of the East Grampian Coast Report 

Reviewed on/by

26/07/2023 by Ian Hay

29/08/2023 by Ian Hay

05/03/2025 by Charlotte Tomlinson

Status

 First Draft

To report errors, highlight new data, or discuss alternative interpretations, please complete the form below and we will aim to respond to you within 28 days

This field is mandatory

I hereby agree that this data will be stored and processed for the purpose of establishing contact. I am aware that I can revoke my consent at any time.*

This field is mandatory

* Indicates required fields
There was an error submitting your message. Please try again.
Thank you! We will get back to you as soon as possible.

Contact us

Telephone: 07971149117

E-mail: ian.hay@stateofthecoast.scot

East Grampian Coastal Partnership (EGCP) Logo

© 2023 - All rights reserved. EGCP Limited

Cover Photograph - David R. Green

We need your consent to load the translations

We use a third-party service to translate the website content that may collect data about your activity. Please review the details in the privacy policy and accept the service to view the translations.