Tunisia’s fisheries production reached about 74,484 tons during the first 8 months of this year, against 72,925 tons in the same period of 2011, posting a growth of 2%.
According to data provided by the Directorate General for Fisheries and Aquaculture (APD) in the Ministry of Agriculture, benthic fishery products (deep sea fishing) rose by 13% for the inshore, and 10% for bottom trawling.
In contrast, blue fishery fell by 4% due to the decline of this activity in the main production ports during the second fortnight of August (the feast of Eid El Fitr coincides with the rest of fishermen).
The aquaculture production also posted a slight decrease at the end of August 2012, reaching about 4,533 tons against 4,542 tons in the same period of 2011.
According to the same statistics of the APD, exports of fishery products recorded a decrease of 8% until the end of August 2012, compared to 2011, with a volume of 17,600 tons (192 million dinars) against 19,000 tons (191 MTD) in 2011.
During the first 8 months of this year, Tunisia imported 28,000 tons of fish products for a value of 81 MTD against a quantity of 26,000 tons (63 MTD) in 2011.
Thus, imports have increased in quantity and value by 8% and 28%, respectively, compared to 2011.