Official statistics released last week showing an 82 per cent increase in bluefin tuna landings this year were incorrect as the increase amounted to only three per cent.
The National Statistics Office on August 4 announced an increase in bluefin tuna landings of 82.1 per cent in the second quarter of this year compared to the same period last year.
Times of Malta questioned how such an increase was possible when the quota on catches of the endangered species remained the same as the previous year – 160 tonnes.
Pressed for an answer, the Fisheries Secretariat said the total catch recorded for the second quarter last year was 142 tonnes and it was 146 tonnes for the same period this year.
It acknowledged this did not reflect an 82 per cent increase and blamed the NSO for leaving out part of the catch from last year’s figures.
It acknowledged this did not reflect an 82 per cent increase and blamed the NSO
The NSO said the new statistics reflected an increase of about three per cent over last year. It also said it based its announcement on figures submitted by the fisheries department.
When the fisheries department sent the figures to the NSO this year it included tuna destined to be fattened in ‘farms’ for export, which is not usually included in the NSO data.
NSO statistics on fish landings focus only on catches of different species by local fishermen for consumption.
The incorrect figures on bluefin tuna catches puts into question the reported increase in the volume and wholesale value of fish landings between April and June this year.