Which UK port lands the most fish?

Peterhead Port in Scotland is the UK's leading fishing port by a significant margin, landing the highest volume and value of fish. In 2025, it achieved record-breaking landings valued at over £341 million. It is often described as Europe's largest fishing port and a key hub for pelagic, whitefish, and shellfish, particularly dominating with mackerel landings.

Where are most fish landed in the UK?

Seafood landings by the UK fleet

The majority of landings were into UK ports, mainly Peterhead, Lerwick and Newlyn. Landings abroad took place mainly in Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Ireland.

Where do most of the UK fish come from?

Seafood eaten in the UK is mostly the “big five” – cod, haddock, salmon, tuna and prawns – which are either depleted or non-existent in our waters. The UK now imports more than six times as much seafood as in 1900, and it comes from over 2,000 miles away on average – with China the largest source.

Why was Grimsby the biggest fishing port?

The construction of three fish docks, a bustling fish market, smokehouses, and what became the largest ice factory in the world helped cement Grimsby's status. By the early 20th century, Grimsby was not only the world's biggest fishing port, but also responsible for producing one fifth of all fish consumed in the UK.

Which was the biggest fishing port, Hull or Grimsby?

Of course, Grimsby was once the largest fishing port in the world and the town has a rich maritime history.

Fishing the Most Polluted River in the UK... (and it's a GOLDMINE!) 😯

Why are there no fishing boats in Grimsby?

As history shows, that Cod War, plus the European Economic Community fisheries policy applying to Britain in 1973, pushed Grimsby's fishing industry into a decline from which it never recovered. Many people in Britain once had Grimsby's tough trawlermen to thank for their weekly treat of fish and chips.

What is the most eaten fish in the UK?

Cod, salmon, haddock, tuna, and prawns are the names of the top five fish that are consumed in the United Kingdom.

Where is most cod caught?

In the Northwest Atlantic, cod range from Greenland to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. In U.S. waters, cod is most common on Georges Bank and in the western Gulf of Maine. Cod is an iconic fish of New England and in recent years, Atlantic cod stocks in our region have declined dramatically.

Where do M&S get their salmon from?

All of the salmon within this product is from our approved M&S Select Farms (located on the West Coast of Scotland and the Shetland and Orkney Islands). Reared exclusively for M&S, our salmon has leading standards in animal welfare, health and care for the local environment.

Where is the largest fishing port?

#1 Commercial Fishing Port in the United States

Dutch Harbor has held this title for more than twenty years. In 2016, the most recent data available, Unalaska's commercial fishing fleet landed 770 million pounds of fish and shellfish at the Port of Dutch Harbor, at a value of $198 million.

What is the biggest fish ever caught in the UK?

The biggest fish caught in the UK depends on the category, with a massive 851lb Bluefin Tuna (Tunny) in 1933 holding the overall boat record, while a recent, verified 150lb 3oz Wels Catfish by Shaun Ing in 2024 sets a new freshwater record, and a huge 900lb tuna was caught in Welsh waters (not officially BRFC) in 2022. Historic river catches, like the 414lb Sturgeon, also highlight massive catches in UK waters.
 

Where is most fish caught in the UK?

In 2022, the largest quantities and value of demersal species caught by the UK fleet were in the north-east of Scotland, the central North Sea and the English Channel. Demersal species with the highest average prices were captured by the UK fleet from waters along the west coast of Scotland.

What are the 5 largest ports in the UK?

The Biggest Ports in the UK

• UK Sea Ports.
• Top Largest Ports in the UK.
• Port of Felixstowe.
• Port of Southampton.
• Port of London.
• Port of Immingham.
• Port of Liverpool.
• Port of Dover.

Which city of England is known as a fishing centre?

Experience the height of the fishing industry of Great Grimsby! A job often described as the 'most dangerous peacetime occupation in the UK', these men literally risked their lives in order to bring home fish to a port described as 'the world's premiere fishing port'.

Where does the UK get most of its cod from?

Most of the cod available to the UK is imported from other countries. It's the top imported species by volume with most imports consigned from China and Iceland.

What is the most unhealthy fish to eat?

The unhealthiest fish to eat are typically large, predatory species high in mercury like Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, Tilefish (from the Gulf of Mexico), and Marlin, which are harmful to developing brains and nervous systems, especially for pregnant women, children, and the elderly, while others like Farmed Tilapia or imported Catfish raise concerns about contaminants and antibiotics, and some popular options like certain Tuna and Chilean Sea Bass also have high mercury or sustainability issues.
 

Where is the best place to catch cod in the UK?

These fish can be found around the UK shores at various times of the year with the English channel being particularly good. The cold seas in the North Sea are very good places to find Cod though with the seas off the Shetland Isles being the best place in the UK to find a big fish.

What is the tastiest fish in the UK?

The best-tasting fish in the UK is subjective, but popular choices for flavour and versatility include Haddock (sweeter, flakier) and Cod (meatier) for fish and chips, Salmon (rich, Omega-3s), Sea Bass (mild, delicate), and luxury options like Dover Sole, Brill, and Monkfish for their distinct textures and tastes, with local specialties like Cornish Sardines or Shetland Mussels also highly rated. 

What country eats the most cod?

Portugal is the biggest consumer of cod in the world, with 20% of all cod caught worldwide being eaten in the country. While salt cod is a traditional Christmas Eve meal, it can be found in Lisbon year-round.

Is Grimsby a rough town?

As of 2026, the crime rate in Grimsby is 99% higher than the East Midlands and 88% higher than the England, Wales & Northern Ireland overall figure.

Is it safe to eat fish from Grimsby?

All of our mobile fishmongers follow a strict code of practice set by Seafood Grimsby and Humber, the cluster's public and private sector organisation, in conjunction with Seafish, the industry authority, to ensure the service and fish products you receive are excellent and you can buy with confidence.