Comparison of industrial and small-scale fishing industry indicators in Europe

The table compares four key indicators of the fishing industry in a European country, contrasting large-scale industrial ships with small-scale fishing boats. Overall, the data highlights a stark disparity between the two sectors, particularly regarding employment numbers and operational costs.

Regarding employment, the small-scale sector is vastly more labour-intensive, employing 120,000,000 people compared to just 500,000 in the industrial sector. Conversely, the annual pay per capita is substantially higher for industrial employees, ranging from £25,000 to £350,000, whereas small-scale workers earn between £200 and £3,000. Furthermore, industrial ships are far more resource-heavy, consuming 65,000 gallons of fuel per vessel annually, which is nearly eight times the 8,500 gallons required by small-scale fishing boats.

In terms of production, industrial ships catch 29 million tonnes of fish for food and an additional 22 million tonnes for industrial processes. Small-scale boats catch 24 million tonnes of fish for food, but they do not contribute to industrial processing at all. In summary, the industrial sector operates with much higher capital and fuel intensity, while the small-scale sector serves as a massive source of employment despite lower individual earnings and smaller operational footprints.