PSA conducts 4 fisheries surveys

KALIBO, Aklan - Four surveys on fisheries are currently being conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority ( PSA) in selected sample households and landing centers in Aklan.

The surveys are composed of commercial, municipal, inland, and aquaculture fishing operations.

According to Provincial Statistics Officer Antonet B. Catubuan, these surveys aim to provide information on the volume and value of fish unloaded in different landing centers, as well as the volume and value of fish and other fishery production in aquafarms and households.

Commercial fishing pertains to usage of boats with more than three gross tons, while municipal is used for boats with three gross tons or less.

On the other hand, inland fishing refers to catching of fish, crustaceans, mollusks and all other aquatic animals and plants in inland water like lakes, rivers, dams, and marshes. Aquaculture, meanwhile, involves all forms of raising and culturing fish and other fishery species in marine, brackish and freshwater under controlled conditions.

Respondents for these surveys comprise boat operators, technician, fisherman, trader, and knowledgeable member of the sample household.

Data which are being collected include volume of unloading in the entire landing center and the price of production from the first point of sale.

Catubuan appeals to all respondents to support this data gathering by giving correct and reliable information to PSA’s data collectors.

She assured them that all information furnished to PSA will be held “strictly confidential” and cannot be used for taxation, investigation or law enforcement purposes as provided for by law./