Fish landings’ value down 13% over fourth quarter 2010

During the fourth quarter last year, the volume and wholesale value of reported fish landings dropped by 53.6 and 13.7 per cent respectively over the corresponding period in 2010. Consequently, the price index increased.

A total 159,210 kilograms of fresh fish were landed at the local fish market during the fourth quarter of 2011. A 70.4 per cent dip in dorado landings contributed significantly to the 53.6 per cent drop in fresh fish landings. This decline may be in part attributed to inclement weather. On the other hand, Bogue and Swordfish landings advanced by 190.8 and 34.6 per cent respectively.

Likewise, the wholesale value of fresh fish landed fell by 13.7 per cent to €0.9 million.

Regional overview

Maltese fishermen landed 108,213 kilograms of fresh fish, or 41.7 per cent less than in the fourth quarter of 2010. This comprised 68.0 per cent of total landings during the fourth quarter of 2011. Significant decreases in Stone Bass (-89.5 per cent) and Dorado landings (-65.4 per cent) contributed to this drop. The wholesale value of fresh fish landings by Maltese fishermen decreased by 12.6 per cent to €607,716 in the fourth quarter last year.

With regard to Gozitan fish landings, the fourth quarter of 2010 resulted in a 67.6 per cent decline in the volume of fish landed. Dorado landings at the fish market made up 77.1 per cent of all Gozitan landings in the period under review. However, Dorado landings dipped by 74.1 per cent when compared to the corresponding period in 2010. In volume, Gozitan fish landings made up 32.0 per cent of total landings, generating €276,815 in wholesale value (-16.2 per cent).

Indices

The quarterly 'All Items' fresh fish price index for the fourth quarter of 2011 stood at 118.85 points, an increase of 47.63 points ( 66.9 per cent) over the comparative period in 2010, as a result of an increase in the price per kilogram of Dorado. The decrease in the supply of fresh fish was reflected in the quarterly 'All Items' fresh fish volume index, which stood at 47.64 points, reflecting a decline of 54.95 points (-53.6 per cent) in the fourth quarter of 2011.