The volume of reported fish landings dropped by more than half in the fourth quarter last year and the wholesale value was down by 13.7 per cent, due in part to inclement weather.
Some 159,000 kilos of fresh fish were landed at the fish market, with a 70.4 per cent dip in lampuki contributing significantly to an overall 53.6 per cent drop, according to National Statistics Office figures.
Bogue and swordfish landings grew by 190.8 and 34.6 per cent respectively.
Maltese fishermen landed 41.7 per cent less fish than in the fourth quarter of 2010 while Gozitan fish landings resulted in a 67.6 per cent decline.
As a result, the price index increased, the NSO said.