In 2019, 13,659 tonnes of fish were landed by Belgian ships and sold in Belgian harbours, according to the new figures of Statbel, the Belgian statistical office. Landings have decreased by 7.5 % compared to 2018. This is slightly less than the decrease in 2018 (-11.3 % compared to 2017). In 2019, the landings accounted for a turnover of 59.1 million euros. This turnover has dropped by 5.5 %, but the decrease was relatively limited, due to the slightly higher average price of 4.3 euros/kg (+2.1%).
Ostend registers a decrease, Zeebrugge a stabilisation
The port of Ostend recorded slight losses. The share of Ostend, according to the quantity landed and fish sold, has decreased to 39 % in 2019, compared to 40.7 % in 2018. The share of Zeebrugge remained virtually unchanged with 58.2 %, while that of Nieuwpoort increased slightly (from 2.3 % in 2018 to 2.8 % in 2019).
Sole and plaice in the lead, good year for the ray
Sole remained the flagship of the Belgian sea fishing industry. An increase in landings (+11.8 %) gave the fish a turnover share of 43.8 %. Plaice ranked second, with a share of 14.5 %, despite a decrease in landings (-20.2 %). These two fishes accounted together for more than half of the turnover achieved in the Belgian sea fishing industry.
2019 seemed to be a good year for the capture of ray. The landings have increased by 22.7 %. The price for ray has decreased by 13.6 % last year compared to 2018.
In 2019, there was a new decrease in landings of shrimps (-38.7 %) and a limited price decrease (-7.9 %). 2018 was another exceptional year for the capture of shrimps with an increase in landings of no less than 143 % and a price decrease of 48.6 %.