MANILA, Philippines — Fisheries production in the country improved in the second quarter after major sub-sectors increased their output.
Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that the sector reported a 2.64 percent expansion in production in April to June.
Commercial fisheries saw a 2.27 percent increase in output to 287,680 metric tons (MT) due to more unloading of fish species in ports and for canneries as a result of conservation measures implemented in the Visayan Sea and Zamboanga Peninsula fishing grounds.
Aquaculture production improved by six percent to 550,000 MT amid better government interventions on the distribution of fingerlings and other planting materials.
Production of municipal fisheries declined by 2.46 percent to 295,640 MT due to less fishing efforts brought about by weather disturbances that prevailed during the period.
The PSA noted higher production in tilapia which grew 5.43 percent to 85,220 MT, largely due to newly opened fishponds, good quality of fingerlings and feeds, and the high demand from local markets.
Production of seaweeds also went up nine percent amid more culture activities and area expansion following higher buying price.
An increase was recorded in the production of skipjack, mud crab, big-eye tuna, mudfish, Indian sardines, big-eyed scad and mussels.
Production of milkfish, on the other hand, declined by 3.45 percent to 106,100 MT due to smaller sizes harvested because of low water temperature, fishkill in some area, and the shift to fingerling operations due to high cost of feeding materials.
The common round scad (galunggong) continued to post negative growth, falling six percent as a result of lesser fishing trips and unloadings in some areas and high cost of fuel as part of the government’s tax reform program.
Tiger prawn production also declined by 4.49 percent as some brackish water fishponds overflowed which resulted in loss of stocks.
Decline was likewise noted in the production of squid, anchovies, frigate tuna, indian mackerel, yellowfin tuna, blue crab, lapu-lapu, catfish, and oysters.