Commercial Use
Earning Our Living
The River Thames and its estuary are an important commercial resource, bringing significant economic benefits to London and the rest of the UK. The Thames serves as an international port, a commercial fishery, an important leisure and recreation centre as well as a focal point for development and regeneration.
The Port of London
The Port of London is one of the UK's largest ports and handles nearly 10% of all trade, serving 30% of the UK population. Over 80 terminals situated along the Thames are geared to handle every type of cargo for import and export, including container cargo and bulk cargo. The Port of London Authority is the body with sole responsibility for ensuring safe navigation in the tidal Thames. It plays a regional, national and international economic role by providing a gateway for trade with Continental Europe and the rest of the world.
An important part of the economic well being of the Port is to ensure that shipping channels and berths are maintained or, in some limited cases, created. This either requires occasional 'maintenance' dredging of existing channels that have suffered from siltation, or 'capital' dredging where a new channel is required.
Thames Fisheries
The gradual improvement of water quality throughout the Thames Estuary has meant that commercial fisheries that were once threatened continue to occupy the river. The Thames currently supports several commercial fisheries including sole, eel, skate, bass, winkles and cockles. In fact, the Thames supports the largest cockle fishery within the UK, valued at £2.35 million at point of landing in 2002 (representing 65% of total UK cockle landings). 181 commercial fishing boats now operate on the Thames, providing income and employment for fisherman and fish traders throughout London, Kent, Essex and the surrounding regions.
Thames Recreation
Recreation and leisure activity throughout the Thames continues to thrive. Currently, there are over 55 rowing, sailing and canoe clubs, and 8 watersports centres along the river, with more proposed for the future. Each year, more than 3 million visitors, including pleasure boat passengers and private boat owners use the Thames, highlighting the commercial importance of the river.
Commercial Use additional information
Links
List of links for Commercial Use
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