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Palma.—The Balearic Guild of Fishing Federations reported yesterday that year was a good one for the local industry and that the Balearic sea “continues to be in good health.” According to the Guild, the Balearic fishing fleet caught a total of 3'600 tons of fish and sea food over the course of last year.
That figure represents a year-on-year increase of 3.5 percent and a nine percent rise when compared to 2009 when 3'312 tons were caught in Balearic waters.

Most common
The most common fish caught were sardines and “gerret”.
Some 331'627 kilos of sardines were netted last year followed by 210'083 tons of the Majorcan gerret.
170 '499 kilos of prawns were also caught.
The Guild also said that apart from the fishing fleets enjoying a greater catch, they also enjoyed higher revenue.
The total value of last year's catch was 21'150'212 euros, 3.5 percent more than in 2010 and nearly two percent more than in 2009. The Guild revealed that last year's greater catch came at a time when the fishing fleet began to down size.

Some 20 trawlers were taken out of service.
Another important factor is that no temporary bans were placed on fishing any species which, according to the Guild, fish stocks in Balearics waters are very healthy.

That said, while the Balearics fishing fleet may be doing its best to combine making a living with protecting fish stocks, the international trawlers which invade Balearic waters are not as respectful and fears for the future of the all important tuna breeding ground to the south of the islands remain.