10.3% decrease in EU15 fishing vessels between 2000 and 2004 - Issue number 45/2005 - Products Statistics in Focus

Between 2000 and 2004 the number of EU15 fishing vessels decreased by 10.3% from 95,501 to 85,709. As a result of the enlargement of the EU in May 2004 the number of vessels increased to 92,422. Four countries, Greece, Spain, Italy and Portugal contributed 62% to the total. Small vessels dominate the EU25 fishing fleet with 82% being under 12 meters in length.