Overall landings for Galicia, one of the largest fishing regions in the country, in 2013 dropped by 6 percent compared to recorded landings from 2012, according to data from the Technology Platform for Fishery of the regional fisheries ministry.
In 2013, the region landed a total amount of 163,576.7 metric tons (MT) with a value of USD 559.59 million (EUR 412.48 million). That's a drop of almost 6.53 percent in volume of fish and 6.36 percent in volume of shellfish compared to 2012.
A Coruña and Vigo are the main landed points of fish and shellfish. The A Coruña fish auction market landed a total amount of 39,935.035 MT with a value of USD 112.56 million (EUR 82.98 million); and in Vigo 33,041.64 MT with a value of USD 136.99 million (EUR 100.74 million).
Both have experienced a decrease in volume and value of their landings — Vigo by 0.5 percent in volume and by 1.5 percent in value, and A Coruña by 1.88 percent in volume and by 0.47 percent in value.
Regarding the main species in volume landed in Galicia in 2013 highlighted hake, Atlantic horse mackerel, blue whiting and chub mackerel; and hake, anglerfish, megrim, Atlantic horse mackerel and grooved carpet shell in value.
In other news, in December E.U. fisheries ministers reached agreement on the 2014 allocation of fishing quotas for the European Union, which include important increases in fishing quotas for the main species for the Spanish fleet. So, it can be expected that will improve the fish landings data for 2014.
