The Shetland fishing industry: its impact on local economic activity

This paper analyses the contribution of the fishing industry (catching and processing) to economic activity in the Shetland Islands. Using a Shetland input-output table, the economic characteristics of the industry itselfare discussed. The impact of fishing activities on other local sectors is measured in terms of output, income and employment. Appropriate fisheries multipliers are derived. Changes in fisheries impact over the period 1971-76 are analysed. Finally, a number of scenarios relating to hypothetical changes in fishing activity are examined.