According to a report released by the Central Bank of Ecuador the revues from tuna exports have dropped almost 50 percent to USD 24.8 million between January and August this year, compared to the USD 45.9 million obtained during the same period of 2003.
Statistics from the Central Bank of Ecuador reveal lower tuna sales so far this year. For instance, during July and August, the declines were drastic given that the revenues for both months reached only just around USD 1 million, while the monthly average for last year was USD 4.7 million.
The executive manager of the Ecuadorian Chamber of Tuna Processors, Jose Alfredo Salvador, indicated that the 50% decline is due to a tuna shortage caused by low temperatures in coastal waters and south of the continent, which caused “species to move westwardâ€. He also stated that registered fall in tuna catches has affected the sector’s production and caused an increase in the species' price per ton, from USD 700 to USD 1,500.
The Ecuadorian tuna fishing fleet remained at port for 42 days because of the ban the Inter American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) imposed from August 1st until September 11th this year.
The fleet has now resumed tuna fishing and the sector is confident that catches will recover in December, which is expected to be a good season.