Dwindling catch: Fisheries production slips in Q3

MANILA, Philippines – The country’s fisheries production saw a four percent drop in the third quarter of the year due to lower output from municipal fisheries.

Based on latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, municipal fisheries production went down nine percent to 283,730 MT in July to September as lesser fishing activities were noted in most regions due to the southwest monsoon that prevailed during the period.

Of the total, 85 percent came from unloadings in municipal landing centers while the rest were caught from inland bodies of water.

Harvests from aquaculture also decreased four percent to 454,500 MT as seaweed production declined in the Mindanao area because of the high cost of planting materials and low buying price of traders.

The common round scad (galunggong) continued to post negative growth at 6.01 percent from 3.32 percent due to lesser emergence of school of fish in commercial fishing grounds and dry-docking and the inoperation of some commercial fishing boats in several areas.

Seaweed production fell nine percent to 277,000 MT due to the unavailability of planting materials of Cottonii variety, decreasing price from traders and high cost of planting materials.

Tilapia production declined three percent to 52,600 MT due to the recent dry spell and inadequacy and high price of tilapia fingerlings.

Further decline was noted in the production of tiger prawn, yellowfin tuna, indian sardines, indian mackerel, squid, anchovies, blue crab, lapu-lapu, mudfish and catfish.

On the other hand, milkfish production increased four percent to 108,600 MT on the back of improved stocking density and resumption of fishpond operations in some regions.

An increase was also recorded in the production of skipjack, frigate tuna, big-eyed scad, mud crab, mackerel, big-eye tuna, oysters and mussels.