This Report follows the earlier two Reviews published by FAPO/BOBP-IGO on the North American and European Fishing Fleets.
In Asia, the Study covered selected fishing fleets in Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan and the Republic of Korea. The Review provides financial and economic information on 27 major fishing fleet segments, including trawlers, gillnetters, longliners, jiggers, purse seiners, as well as pole and line fishing vessels. An analysis of the costs and earnings data of these important fishing fleets was carried out using the national statistics of 2017 for the Japanese and the Korean fleets, and 2018-19 survey data for the other countries. Eighty-nine percent of the 27 fishing fleet segments reported positive net cash flows. Seventy percent of the fishing fleets realized net profit margins of more than 10 percent. Eighty-one percent of the fishing fleets reported positive results in terms of their capital productivity, as their returns on fixed tangible assets (ROFTAs) were positive.
The Review shows that investments in fishing vessels and fishing operations of these major Asian fishing fleets are generally profitable and highlight the fact that marine fisheries are a financially viable economic activity in all the six major fishing nations included in the review. It generates enough income to cover depreciation costs, interest and loan repayments, and provides sufficient financial resources for reinvestment. Nearly, 60 percent of the fishing fleets generated returns on investment (ROIs) of 15 percent and higher, which signals fisheries as an attractive sector for investments. The total Gross Value Added (GVA) of the 27 fishing fleets to the Asian regional economy was substantial and estimated at around USD 66 billion. The Review also reveals a need for adequate management measures, including fleet capacity management plans, to improve the status of fish stock in the region and maintain a healthy and profitable fishing sector.
