FISHERIES output rose 2.64% year-on-year to 1.13 million metric tons (MT) in the second quarter, the Philippine Statistics Authority said.
In its Fisheries Quarterly Performance Report for the three months to June, the PSA said aquaculture farms and commercial offshore fishing operations posted increases in output, while municipal fishery output declined 2.46% to 295,640 MT due to bad weather, which discouraged fishermen from heading out.
Of the total, marine fisheries accounted for 86.40% while the remainder was generated from inland fisheries.
“The decline was due to reduced fishing effort brought about by weather disturbances that prevailed during the period,” the PSA said.
Commercial fisheries output rose 2.27% to 287,680 MT led by skipjack tuna landed at the General Santos City Fish Port. Skipjack tuna is mainly used in canning.
Aquaculture farm production rose 5.81% to 550,010 MT amid higher yields in Central Luzon and the MIMAROPA region, boosted by government distribution of fingerlings and other materials.
Seaweed posted a 2.28% increase in production during the quarter.
The PSA said tilapia output rose 0.15% year-on-year while that of skipjack rose 0.51% in the second quarter.
Output of milkfish fell 0.34%, tiger prawn was down 0.05%, round scad fell 0.32%, and yellowfin tuna declined 0.06%.
The Department of Agriculture on Wednesday authorized the import of 117,000 metric tons of round scad, commonly known as galunggong, to ensure sufficient domestic supply during closed fishing season. — Anna Gabriela A. Mogato
