BRITAIN'S fishing fleet is suffering one of its deadliest periods in a decade with nine lives lost at sea in the first six months of the year.

The death toll on the seas, which includes those of three Scottish fishermen onboard the MFV Louisa which went down near the Hebridean island of Mingulay in April, is higher than the seven fatalities recorded in the whole of 2015.

Eight deaths were recorded in the years 2014 and 2011, but 16 were recorded in 2006. The number of fatalities is greater than that suffered by the Arctic Fleet, which fishes on what was formerly considered the most dangerous waters in the world.

The release of the figures comes after the family of a Black Isle fisherman was informed of the discovery of his body.

Craig Reid, from Munlochy on the Black Isle, fell overboard from the fishing boat Apollo on 18 April. Police Scotland said that the body of a man has been recovered by a fishing vessel 25 miles north west of Orkney.

A massive search operation took place in waters around Orkney after Mr Reid went missing.

There are almost 12,000 fishermen working in the UK, half of them in Scotland.

Derek Cardno, safety officer for the Scottish Fisherman's Federation, said the industry was "committed" to improving its safety record.

He added: "Recently industry-led initiatives have included a project to supply a personal floatation device to every fisherman in Scotland. The project has been a success but much more needs to be done."