The sea-fish industry comprises: catching; processing and port merchant sector; retail and mongering; and frying and restaurant sector.  However, Improve represents the processing of fish only.

The fish processing industry in England employs approximately 37,444 UK employees.  Seasonal staff account for approximately 5% of sea-fish full-time jobs and 10% of salmon full-time jobs.

40% of full-time jobs are in Scotland, but there has been a 13% reduction in employment within the salmon processing industry in Scotland.  Grampian provides 24% of all full-time jobs and 4% are in the Highlands and Islands.  Employment levels in the South West of England has increased, but Humberside employs 28% of all full-time jobs and has seen a 5% increase in employment since 2000.  4% of full-time jobs are in Northern Ireland.

The occupational profile of the industry includes:

• 18% management/supervisory
• 6% clerical
• 4% skilled craftspeople
• 12% semi-skilled craftspeople
• 37% unskilled operatives

Full-time male staff earn on average £6.00 per hour, which is more than their female equivalents at £5.64 per hour.  However, earnings have increased by 3% for full-time male employees, 9% for full-time and part-time female employees over the last few years.

61% of the workforce are male (which is an increased from 2000) who are predominately employed in primary processing.  Northern England has the highest proportion of male workers.

44% of employers report skill gaps among their staff, including:

• management skills for Scottish processors
• business and management skills in senior management
• product/service quality amongst all management staff 
• IT and financial skills in clerical and administrative staff
• filleting skills in processing operatives
• food handling in unskilled workers
• health and safety in all staff

There are no mandatory qualifications in the industry.  84% of workers in the fish processing industry do not have a qualification higher than Level 2, compared with 79% in the UK industry.  8% of workers are qualified at Level 4 or higher, as in the UK industry. 

Source: Improve website 2006, DEFRA/Seafish/Scottish Executive 2005, At a Glance – England 2005, Labour Force Survey 2004 and Improve Market Assessment 2004

For more data and regional figures on the sea-fish industry go to the Improve website.