Swordfish exports to Norway

For the first time ever fish from Malta is being exported to Norway.

Twice weekly Azzopardi Fisheries of St Paul's Bay are sending two consignments of swordfish by air to their agent in Oslo who services Italian and Japanese restaurants in Norway. Japanese restaurants use the swordfish in sushi and sashimi dishes.

When contacted, Charles Azzopardi of Azzopardi Fisheries explained that his firm could enter this new market after it won a tender among international bidders to buy all the swordfish catches from Maltese fishermen.

"Azzopardi Fisheries have a contract with the two cooperatives of Maltese fishermen to buy all the swordfish they land between May and December this year. The fishermen are getting Lm3.5 per kilo for the swordfish.

"This export order was won through the various fisheries trade fairs that we participate in and the contacts we manage to make.

"Swordfish caught by Maltese fishermen is preferred because the fish is caught on long lines giving the swordfish a shelf life of 10 days. Swordfish caught by nets on the other hand has a shelf life of only four days," Mr Azzopardi explained.

Fresh is the name of the game especially with fish. The swordfish reaches Oslo within three hours from leaving Malta.

Mr Azzopardi said that with the assistance of government subsidies, fishermen were able to preserve the fish in an optimum condition.

The Italian restaurants serve the swordfish mostly as carpaccio, a dish made of thinly sliced raw fish served with olive oil and lemon juice. The fish is left to marinate for some time in the lemon juice which "cooks" it.

Azzopardi Fisheries fly the fish to Norway by Air Malta every Monday and Friday sending over 160 heads of swordfish.

Mr Azzopardi said swordfish catches have been good in the past month and about 40,000 kilos have been exported not only to Norway but also to Italy, Holland, Germany and Dubai.

Asked whether these export orders would deprive the Maltese from finding swordfish on the market, Mr Azzopardi said this was definitely not the case.

Mediterranean adult swordfish are rarely over 230 kilos. Swordfish reach sexual maturity at five to six years, with a maximum lifespan of at least nine years.

The slashes that squid and cuttlefish removed from the stomach of caught swordfish bear on their body could indicate that the swordfish uses its sword to kill its prey.

The best known spawning site for the species is in the Mediterranean, off the coast of Italy. The height of the spawning season is in July and August. At this time males are often spotted chasing females.