Fishing production in Mozambique grew 10.3% in the first half of the year, to 240,398 tonnes, driven by aquaculture, according to budget execution data available to the Lusa newsagency on Friday, August 23.
According to government figures, this is 46% of the total target of 522,671 tonnes, between fishing and aquaculture, set for the whole of 2024 for national fishing production.
Industrial aquaculture grew the most from January to June, almost doubling its volume (80.3%) compared to the same period in 2023, to 5132 tonnes, 52.5% of the target for the whole of 2024.
This growth was influenced by the accounting of live crab and live lobster, caught in maritime waters and kept in production establishments ‘for export’, as well as a seaweed production initiative in Nampula province.
In terms of volume, artisanal fishing continued to lead the way, with 225,285 tonnes, a year-on-year increase of 9.2%, with the central province of Zambézia standing out (25% of the total), followed by industrial and semi-industrial fishing, with 9,981 tonnes, an increase of 13% compared to 2023.
According to a budget execution report from January to December, fishing production in Mozambique reached 496,373 tonnes in 2023, a growth of 9% in one year and above the targets set.
Artisanal fishing led the way, with 466 491 tonnes in 2023, an increase of 7.8%, followed by commercial fishing (industrial and semi-industrial), with 20 230 tonnes and an increase of 16.4%, while aquaculture production grew by 73.1% to 9553 tonnes.
In commercial fishing, shrimp led last year’s production, with 3041 tonnes, an increase of 18.7% taking into account catches in 2022.
Aquaculture in Mozambique is carried out on an industrial and small scale, producing shrimp, crab and lobster in addition to various types of fish, mainly in the provinces of Tete, Gaza and Maputo.
Despite this performance, production was affected in 2023 by ‘excessive rains that caused flooding’ in Maputo, as well as the passage of Cyclone Freddy twice, first in the south, particularly in Inhambane province, and then in the centre and north of the country, with a greater impact on Zambézia province.
