The volume of industrial and semi-industrial fishing in Mozambique grew by 10.5% in the first quarter, compared to 2022, to 3,219 tons, writes Lusa citing official data.  

The data from the State Budget balance sheet show that the growth represents only 13.7% of the total expected for the sector in 2023, having been influenced by the "low operability of the fleets in the month of January", with falls in the catch of shrimp, kapenta, fish and lobster.

"The opening of the current fishing season took place on March 15, unlike previous years, when it was held on April 1, which resulted in the catch of 410 tons of shrimp during the period in question," explains the document consulted by Lusa.

In the artisanal fishing sector, 81,648 tons of fish were produced in the first three months of the year - essentially "marine fish", with 43,636 tons, and "freshwater fish", with 30,679 tons - 4.2% less than in 2022, representing 18.4% of the total expected for 2023.

Fish production in aquaculture, developed on an industrial and small-scale basis, increased by 19.4% to 1,279 tons in three months.

Overall, the source said, fishing activity accounted for 86,146 tons in the first quarter in Mozambique, 3.4% less than in the same period of 2022, corresponding to only 18.2% of the total estimated by the government for this year, which is 474,576 tons.