Fishing

Slovenian Economic Mirror, Nov 2007 by Kovac, Mateja

Fishing is one of the branches that contribute very little to the total economic activity in Slovenia. In 2006 the value added in the fishing sector totalled EUR 4.3 m, which corresponds to 0.02% of the economy's total value added. According to the labour force survey, the industry employed 245 persons. Another 208 workers were employed in processing fish products. Both figures together represent a 0.05% share of all employed persons. The activity is most prominent in the Obalno-kraska region.

The volume of marine fishing and farming of aquatic animals declined again in 2006. Some 2,300 tonnes of aquatic animals were caught or farmed last year, down 2.9% from the year before, 20.2% from 2000, and 84.3% from 1990. The share of aquaculture (59.4%) was greater than the share of marine fishing (40.6%; see table) for the fourth consecutive year.

The decline was the result of a smaller marine catch and farming. The marine catch and farming amounted to 1,126 tonnes (9.8% less than a year ago). Within that, 933 tonnes of animals were caught (down 8.6% from 2005), while 193 tonnes were farmed (down 15.0%). The total quantity of fish obtained from the sea declined; the quantity of molluscs dropped even more. The latter increased rapidly in previous years and accounted for 23.4% of all aquatic animals caught or farmed in the sea in 2005, but its share contracted to 20.0% in 2006. The quantity of aquatic animals bred in fresh waters totalled 1,174 tonnes (up 4.8% from 2005). This equalled 51% of total catch and farming of aquatic animals (47% in 2005, 9% in 1990). This share has been increasing with the expansion of freshwater breeding and, more importantly, the decline in the sea catch. Slovenia has many high-quality fresh water sources, and therefore ample possibilities for further expansion of fish farming

The total quantity of aquatic animals has also been declining in the EU-25 on average. In 2005 EU countries caught and farmed 15% fewer aquatic animals than in 2000, while the decrease in Slovenia was 9%. Cyprus and Denmark recorded the largest drops (94% and 40%). Decreases were also registered in the neighbouring Austria and Italy (by 15% and 8%). On the other hand, some countries posted relatively high gains, e.g. Lithuania (75%), Germany (22%) and Hungary (6%). Croatia also enjoyed a high increase (by 75%; see graph).

EU countries mostly fish in the North Atlantic Ocean and much less in the Mediterranean. In 2004 these countries caught just 8% of their total catch in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Their catches in this region dropped by 28% in 1993-2004. As in other world seas, the declining catch levels reflect the slow depletion of the Mediterranean Sea, where the renewal of fish populations cannot keep pace with the volume of fishing. Fishing vessels from countries that are neither members of the EU nor situated in the region caught the largest amounts of animals. Their share in the total catch from these waters was almost 60% in 2004, followed by Turkey (almost 20%), Italy (10%), and Spain and Greece (4% each). Slovenia's share is tiny and is measured in one hundredths.