A reduction in its sole, ray and cod catch saw Belgium’s fishing fleet land around 8,500 metric tons (MT) of fisheries products worth less than EUR 28 million (USD 31.6 million) in the first five months of this year, representing decreases of 4 percent and 1 percent respectively, compared with the corresponding period of 2015.
Even a 248 percent increase in the fleet’s cuttlefish landings value were not enough to offset the overall value decrease, according to new figures published by the European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products (EUMOFA).
The average unit price of all first sales increased by 3 percent to almost EUR 4 (USD 4.51) per kg.
Traditionally, common sole and plaice are the two most important species landed by Belgian fishermen, both in value and volume. Other high-value species are monk, turbot and cuttlefish.
In January–May 2016, the top five species accounted for 76 percent of the total first-sales value. Sole registered the highest decrease in both value and volume, down 9 percent and 23 percent respectively. There were also volume decreases of 32 percent for ray and 37 percent for cod.
Last year, Belgian vessels landed 18,100 MT of seafood, a decrease of 6 percent compared to 2014. In value terms, these landings increased 0.4 percent to EUR 67.2 million (USD 75.8 million) thanks to increases in the unit price for sole, plaice, cod and scallops.
The majority of first sales take place in the ports of Zeebrugge and Oostende.
Belgium has a coastline of 67 km and the smallest fleet in the EU (80 vessels in 2014). Its fleet has decreased in vessel numbers by 19 percent since 2008.
