Fisheries output slightly up in Q1

MANILA, Philippines — Fish production in the country continued to  improve in the first quarter amid better output in commercial and municipal fisheries.

Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that total volume of fish produced in January to March reached 1.01 million metric tons (MT), 0.9 percent higher than the same period last year.

Commercial fisheries saw a 1.2 percent increase in production to 218,980 MT. The sub-sector comprised 22 percent of the total output.

Municipal fisheries also registered a 5.7 percent increase in production to 269,460 MT. Of the total volume, 86 percent came from marine municipal fisheries, while the rest came from inland.

Meanwhile, aquaculture production declined 1.5 percent to 526,050 MT. It accounted for the largest share of 52 percent of  the total national output.

In particular, the common round scad (galunggong) increased 36 percent to 53,260 MT after several quarters of decline.This was due to more unloadings due to the effect of the lifting of the ban on catching round scad in the fishing ground of Palawan and additional commercial fishing boats coming from other regions.

The seasonality of round scad coupled with good weather conditions encouraged more fishing operations in several parts of the country.

Skipjack production rose 6.5 percent as more unloadings for canneries were observed.The improvement was also due to more fishing activities brought about by good weather conditions and the provision of additional boats from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

An increase was recorded in the production of oysters, lapu-lapu, indian mackerel, anchovies, and catfish.

On the other hand, PSA noted lower production level of tilapia at three percent to 89,859 MT, attributed to sulfur upwelling, while some inland fishermen shifted from inland fishing to other activities. Lower volume of production was also due to less availability of species in the fishing ground.