In 2025, 12,900 tons of fish were unloaded at fish markets in the Azores (35.2% more than in 2024), corresponding to a value of €46.9 million, according to data released by the Regional Statistics Service (SREA).

“In the overall calculation for 2025, 12,900 tons of fish were unloaded in the Azores, totaling an accumulated value of €46.9 million,” reads the SREA report on fisheries for the month of December 2025.

According to the SREA, “in annual terms, there was a 35.2% increase in the volume of fish unloaded at auction and an 18% increase in the value of fish unloaded at auction, resulting in an annual decrease of 12.7% in the average price of fish unloaded.”

The figures do not include discarded fish, fish distributed by fishermen for their own consumption, and seaweed not intended for human consumption.

All islands showed a year-on-year increase in the volume of fish unloaded at fish markets, with the exception of Graciosa (-28.3%) and Flores (-3.9%). Pico had the highest growth (186.8%), followed by Santa Maria (65.8%), São Jorge (63.4%), Faial (33.4%), Corvo (7.1%), São Miguel (5.6%), and Terceira (3.3%). Also in relation to the value of fish unloaded at auction, Pico stands out with an increase of 128.7%, followed by Santa Maria (57.5%), São Jorge (49.2%), Faial (20.8%), Terceira (6.1%), and São Miguel (1.9%). Conversely, Graciosa (-12.7%), Flores (-7.1%), and Corvo (-1.8%) show a negative annual variation. Looking at the categories of fish unloaded, tuna, which accounted for around 9,400 tons, recorded a year-on-year increase of 61.2%.

Pelagic fish also saw an increase of 49.2%, totaling around 1,100 tons. With around 2,100 tons unloaded, demersal fish recorded a 2% drop compared to the previous year. Mollusks, with 253.7 tons unloaded, fell by 23.7%, and crustaceans, with 9 tons, fell by 19.8%.

Among the species with the highest volume of fish unloaded in 2025, the following stand out: horse mackerel, with 563.3 tons (up 7.9%), red seabream, with 260.3 tons (down 4.2%), mackerel, with 247.8 tons (down 25.2%), dab, with 246.7 tons (up 16.2%), and peixão, with 194.3 tons (down 17.2%).

Looking only at the month of December, 152 tons of fish were unloaded at the fish market in the Azores, down 42.4% compared to the same period last year, with a total value of €1.4 million (down 33.8%).

This month, the most significant landings at the fish market, in terms of volume and value, were fish, with 131.4 tons (86.4% of the total in volume and 84.4% of the total in value), followed by mollusks, with 20.5 tons (13.5% of the total in volume and 15.6% of the total in value), and crustaceans, with 150 kg (0.1% of the total in volume and practically zero weight in total value).

The average price of fish landed in the Azores in December increased by 14.9% compared to the same period last year, to €9.31 per kilogram. The island of Corvo had the highest average price for fish landed this month (€17.49 per kilogram), considerably higher than the regional average. In Faial, the average price per kilogram was €14.74, in Graciosa €14.14, in Terceira €12.72, in Flores €12.66, in Santa Maria €12.40, in São Jorge €10.17, in São Miguel €7.37, and in Pico €5.48.

The value of fish unloaded at auction increased by 18% to €46.9 million. The volume of tuna increased by 61.2% totaling 9,400 tons.

In Diário Insular-José Lourenço-director

Translated into English as a community outreach program by the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL), in collaboration with Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno. PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.