Portuguese fishermen landed 32,450 metric tons (MT) of seafood products worth more than EUR 65.4 million (USD 73.2 million) in the first five months of this year, representing decreases of 5 percent and 1 percent respectively, compared with the corresponding period of 2015.
The declines were largely the result of a 25 percent lower mackerel catch, according to new figures published by the European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products (EUMOFA). The lower mackerel catch saw prices increase 48 percent to EUR 0.44 (USD 0.49) per kg.
In January-May 2016, the top five species landed in Portugal – octopus, horse mackerel, sole, cuttlefish and mackerel – represented 51 percent of the total first sales value and 66 percent of the volume, down around 1 percent year-on-year.
Last year, Portuguese vessels landed 114,728 MT of seafood, an increase of 24 percent compared to 2014. In value terms, these landings increased 7 percent to EUR 184.8 million (USD 206.7 million).
EUMOFA also highlighted that cuttlefish landings at Portuguese ports for January through May increased 2 percent to 750 MT, achieving a total first-sale value of EUR 3.2 million (USD 3.6 million), up 8 percent year-on-year. The average price paid during this period was EUR 4.22 (USD 4.72) per kg, up 6 percent year-on-year.
The Portuguese fleet comprises 4,188 registered vessels.
