FISHING HOUSEHOLDS increased 18.1% over the past decade, though the overall fishing workforce is ageing, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.
In total 897,575 households had members involved in fishing in 2022, according to preliminary PSA data, against 760,000 fishing households in 2012.
The number of fisherfolk over 50 years old rose 47.3% to over 319,000, outpacing the 4.1% growth in the below-50 group to nearly 602,000.
Those between 30 and 49 years accounted for roughly half of all operators in 2022. The 30-39 age bracket made up 25.3% or 233,000 fisherfolk, while the 40-49 group added another 25.1%, or 231,000 fisherfolk.
Men accounted for 95.1% of fisherfolk (875,875), though female participation rose 139% from 2012 levels to 45,222 individuals. The Western and Central Visayas recorded the highest female representation at 9.6% each, well above the 4.9% national average.
Single proprietorships dominated the industry at 98.72% of the 922,662 capture fishing operations nationwide. Marine waters accounted for 77.3% of activities, while inland waters represented 13.9%.
The Bicol Region led all areas with 113,080 fishing operations. Five regions combined — Bicol, Mimaropa, and the Central, Western, and Eastern Visayas — accounted for more than half of the national total. — Pierce Oel A. Montalvo
