In 2017, 16,648 tonnes of fish were landed by Belgian ships and sold in Belgian harbours. These landings represent a turnover of 67 million euros, that is an increase of +3.4 % compared to 2016. The quantity of landed fish remains practically stable, but the average price is a little higher than the year before.
Sole remains the flagship of the Belgian sea fishing industry. Despite a decrease in landings (-11 %), this fish has a turnover share of 33 %. Plaice comes in second place, with a share of 16 %. These two fishes represent together almost half of the turnover achieved in the Belgian sea fishing industry.
An increase of landings was noted for turbot (+8.7 %), codfish (+8.6 %) and lemon sole (+4.6 %). Sole was not the only fish to register a decrease in landings: it was also the case for whiting (-36.2 %) and shrimps (-23 %).