The number of fish caught during the last quarter of 2012 decreased by a fifth, compared with the same period a year earlier, according to national statistics.

During the fourth quarter of last year, the volume and wholesale value of fish landings declined by 22 per cent and 7.6 per cent respectively.

According to the National Statistics Office, a total of 123,921 kilograms of fresh fish landed at the local market.

On one hand, increases of 69.1 and 34.7 per cent were registered in Blue Fin Tuna and Stone Bass landings, but these species accounted for only 0.3 per cent of all landings in the quarter under review.

There were significant declines in the main species, mainly the swordfish (-54.8 per cent) and Dorado (-17.2 per cent).

The wholesale value of fresh fish fell by 7.6 per cent from €0.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 to €0.8 million during the same quarter.

In a statement, NSO added that Maltese fishermen landed 88,251 kilos of fresh fish, a drop of 18.4 per cent over the last quarter of 2011. This made up 71.2 per cent of the total landings during the fourth quarter of 2012.

Gozitan fish landings amounted to 35,670 kilograms during the fourth quarter, a decline of 30.1 per cent over the corresponding quarter of 2011.