Scotland’s marine economy generated £4.3 billion in gross value added (GVA) in 2018, down 17% from 2017, according to an “experimental statistics” report from the Chief Statistician released on Wednesday.

In 2018, the Scottish marine economy provided employment for 74,200 people, a decrease of less than 1% from 2017. 

“Several sectors contributed to the 17% decrease in GVA between 2017 and 2018 including oil and gas support services, shipbuilding and aquaculture,” said the report.

“Between 2017 and 2018, oil and gas support services GVA decreased by 17%, shipbuilding GVA decreased by 41% and aquaculture GVA decreased by 45%.

“The oil and gas services sector was the biggest contributor to the marine economy GVA in 2018, providing 42% of the marine economy GVA (£1.8 billion) and 22% of the employment (16,600 headcount).

“Marine tourism was the biggest contributor to employment in 2018, contributing 40% of the marine economy employment (29,700 headcount) and 13% of the marine economy GVA (£579 million).  

“Geographically, Aberdeen City accounted for 39% of the marine economy’s GVA for 2018, with Aberdeenshire the next highest with 22%.

“This highlights a strong concentration of the marine economy in the North East of Scotland, linked to the location of oil and gas services, commercial fishing and fish processing industries.”