To provide information on the volume and value of fish unloaded in different landing centers as well as other production in aquafarms and households, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) clears the conduct of four (4) fisheries surveys to be undertaken nationwide. These surveys aim to generate statistics that will serve as inputs to the compilation of national accounts. The data will also be used for policy-making and program implementation on fisheries.

The quarterly fisheries surveys renewed for clearance are as follows:

• 2019 Quarterly Aquaculture Survey (QAqS)

  Aquaculture involves propagation and culturing of fish and other fishery species in farming facility such as fishpond, fish pen, fish cage. It also includes oyster, mussel and seaweed culture. The QAqS gathers information on volume and prices of species harvested in aquafarms. A total of 6,881 sample aquafarms from 81 provinces and two cities will be covered by the survey. The total budget of Php 3.3 million will be used for the survey.
   

• 2019 Quarterly Commercial Fisheries Survey (QCFS)

  Covering fishing operations in marine waters beyond 15 kilometers from the shoreline by fishing boats with more than three (3) gross tons, the QCFS intends to generate information on volume and prices of species unloaded in the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), local government units and  privately-managed and traditional landing centers. A total of 247 key informants (KI’s) from landing centers will be interviewed covering 58 provinces. The survey will utilize a budget of Php 2.1 million.
   

• 2019 Quarterly Inland Fisheries Survey (QIFS)

  Inland fisheries cover fishing operations performed on inland bodies of water using fishing vessels of three (3) gross tons or less. It also includes fishing activities using fishing gears but not requiring the use of fishing vessels. The QIFS aims to gather information on volume and prices of species caught by inland fishing household. With a total budget of Php 1.5 million, the survey will interview 1,348 inland fishing households in 78 provinces.
   

• 2019 Quarterly Municipal Fisheries Survey (QMFS)

  Municipal fishing covers fishing operations performed in marine waters within 15 kilometers from the shoreline using fishing vessels of three (3) gross tons or less or fishing with the use of fishing gears not requiring the use of vessels. The QMFS aims to generate information on volume and price of species unloaded in municipal landing centers. A total of 843 KI’s from 69 provinces will be interviewed.  The survey will utilize a total budget of Php 1.7 million.

The results of the four surveys are scheduled to be released 45 days after the reference quarter.

Meanwhile, the key results of the 2018 Fisheries Surveys are the following:

• The total volume of fisheries production in 2018 was estimated at 4.4 million metric tons, which was 0.9 percent higher than in 2017 which was estimated at 4.3 million metric tons.
• The volume of production from commercial fisheries reached 941.6 thousand metric tons. This comprised 21.6 percent of the total fisheries output of the Philippines in 2018.
• Production from municipal fisheries in 2018 was estimated at 1.1 million metric tons. Of the total, marine municipal fisheries comprised 85.2 percent while the rest came from inland fisheries. Municipal fisheries represented 25.4 percent of the total fisheries output.
• Aquaculture had the highest production at 2.3 million metric tons among the fisheries subsectors. Aquaculture production contributed to 53.0 percent of the total fisheries production in 2018.

These fisheries surveys were reviewed and cleared for conduct under the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS), a mechanism being implemented by the PSA by virtue of Rule 28 of Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No.

• ensure sound design for data collection;
• minimize the burden placed upon respondents;
• effect economy in statistical data collection;
• eliminate unnecessary duplication of statistical data collection efforts; and
• achieve better coordination of government statistical activities.

In line with this, the public is enjoined to support the said statistical activities.

For further information on SSRCS, please contact the Statistical Standards Division (SSD) of the Standards Service (SS) with telephone numbers
(02) 376-1928 and (02) 376-1931, and email address: ssd.staff@psa.gov.ph or ssdss.staff@gmail.com.

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

See more at the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS) landing page.