In December 2012, 361,000 tonnes of fish were landed in Peruvian ports, accounting for 80 per cent less than the same month of 2011, when landings totalled 1,799,400 tonnes.
According to the latest Statistical Bulletin prepared by the Ministry of Production (Produce), in the last month of 2012, 279,400 tonnes of fish for the oil industry and fishmeal were unloaded, an impressive 83.6 per cent less than in December 2011 (1,702,300 tonnes).
In evaluating the 12 months of 2012, it appears that total landings fell by 42.1 per cent over the previous year, from 8.2 million tonnes in 2011 to 4.7 million tonnes.
In 2012, 3.6 million tonnes of fish resources were used for indirect consumption, compared to 7 million tonnes in 2011, that is to say, 48.4 per cent less.
For direct human consumption, 81,600 tonnes of fish were landed in December, compared to 97,100 tonnes the same month of 2011.
During 2012, 1,176,500 tonnes of resources for direct consumption were used, 7.4 per cent less than the previous year (1,269,900 tonnes).
For preparation of frozen products, 37,100 tonnes were unloaded, while in the same month of 2011, 37,500 tonnes had been landed.
Between January and December 2012, the accumulated landings for the industry totalled 641,500 tonnes, 8.4 per cent less than in the same period of 2011, when 700,400 tonnes were discharged.
On the other hand, fishery resources used by the canning industry in December 2012 totalled 8,600 tonnes, compared with 8,000 tonnes in the same month last year.
Between January and December 2012, there was a decrease of 40.9 per cent in the resources used by the canning industry: 119,800 tonnes compared to 202,600 tonnes the same period of 2011.
Finally, last year 384,700 tonnes of resources to be consumed fresh were discharged, 16.4 per cent more than in 2011 (330,500 tonnes).