During the first quarter of 2022, the total fisheries production was estimated at 971.50 thousand metric tons. It diminished by -0.2 percent from the 973.62 thousand metric tons production in the same quarter of the previous year. Decreases in production were noted in commercial and marine municipal fisheries, while aquaculture and inland municipal fisheries pulled up their outputs.  (Figure 1 and Table 1)

Commercial fisheries recorded a volume of production of 177.17 thousand metric tons in the first quarter of 2022, which was -8.0 percent lower than its previous year’s level of 192.67 thousand metric tons. The subsector’s output comprised 18.2 percent of the total fisheries production. (Figure 2 and Table 1)

The marine municipal fisheries subsector reported a total unloading of 218.73 thousand metric tons during the quarter. The volume was -0.9 percent lower than the first quarter of 2021 level of 220.68 thousand metric tons. The subsector’s share to total fisheries was 22.5 percent. (Figure 3 and Table 1)

Inland municipal fisheries production grew by 4.7 percent during the quarter. The volume of production was reported at 39.05 thousand metric tons, while the previous year’s estimate was 37.31 thousand metric tons. Inland municipal fisheries contributed 4.0 percent share to the total fisheries production. (Figure 4 and Table 1)

Total harvests from aquaculture farms reported 536.55 thousand metric tons in the first quarter of 2022, from 522.96 thousand metric tons in the same quarter of the previous year which is equivalent to 2.6 percent increase during the quarter. Aquaculture subsector constituted the biggest share of 55.2 percent to total fisheries production. (Figure 5 and Table 1)

Of the 20 major species, large declines in the production were mainly attributed to mudcrab (alimango, -24.8%), skipjack (gulyasan, -20.2%), and fimbriated sardines (tunsoy, -13.5%). (Table 2)

On the other hand, double-digit increments were reported in threadfin bream (bisugo, 34.1%), squid (pusit, 12.7%), and bigeye tuna (tambakol/bariles, 10.9%). (Table 2)

DENNIS S. MAPA, Ph.D.
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General