Fisheries output slightly down in 2017

The country’s fisheries production slightly declined last year due to lower output in most sub-sectors.

Based on latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, production reached 4.31 million metric tons (MT), one percent lower than the 4.36 million MT recorded in 2016.

Commercial fisheries saw a seven percent decline in production to 947,000 MT due to less unloading of species brought about by frequent rainfall and numerous weather disturbances that prevailed in the country from May to September, as well as the limited fishing operations in Zamboanga Peninsula due to the existing inventory of canned sardines.

Municipal fisheries also registered a minimal one percent decrease in production to 1.13 million MT due to less fishing trips, weather disturbances that brought strong winds and rough seas, and the encroachment of commercial fishing boats in municipal waters.

Aquaculture production rose two percent to 2.24 million MT, accounting for more than half of the total output. The increase was due to higher seaweed output and sufficient supply of fingerlings for stocking.

The common round scad (galunggong), meanwhile, continued to post negative growth, falling 12 percent due to the occurrence of heavy rains and numerous weather disturbances that hampered fishing operations.

Decline was likewise noted in the production of Indian sardines, squid, anchovies, frigate tuna, big-eyed scad, indian mackerel, tiger prawn and lapu-lapu.

On the other hand, milkfish production increased three percent to 416,360 MT due to the abundant supply of natural food, good quality of water and postponement of harvest from freshwater pens.

Tilapia production was also higher at 311,680 MT, mainly due to the use of quality stocking materials and the adoption of better management and timing of feeding that resulted to bigger sizes of species harvested.

Seaweed production likewise posted a minimal 0.77 percent gain to 1.42 million MT due to more dispersal of planting materials, increase in area planted and absence of disease.

An increase was also recorded in the production of skipjack, yellowfin tuna, mud crab, blue crab, big-eye tuna, mudfish, catfish and oysters.