Fisheries production declined by 0.5 percent in the first quarter of 2024

The total volume of fisheries production in the first quarter of 2024 was registered at 987.19 thousand metric tons. It declined by 0.5 percent from the 992.33 thousand metric tons output in the same quarter of the previous year. The decrease in production was noted in marine municipal fisheries, while commercial, inland municipal fisheries, and aquaculture reported increments in production during the period. (Figure 1 and Table 1)

The commercial fisheries production at 188.92 thousand metric tons posted a 10.7 percent increment from the previous year’s same quarter output of 170.60 thousand metric tons. The subsector comprised 19.1 percent of the total fisheries production. (Figure 2 and Table 1)

On marine municipal fisheries, the total volume of production was estimated at 211.33 thousand metric tons in the first quarter of 2024. This was 12.4 percent lower than the previous year’s same quarter level of 241.37 thousand metric tons. The subsector’s share to the total fisheries production in the first quarter on 2024 was 21.4 percent. (Figure 3 and Table 1)

During the quarter, inland municipal fisheries production was recorded at 40.55 thousand metric tons. It increased by 17.6 percent from the previous year’s same quarter estimate of 34.48 thousand metric tons. The subsector contributed 4.1 percent to the total fisheries production in the first quarter of 2024. (Figure 4 and Table 1)

Aquaculture production was registered at 546.40 thousand metric tons in the first quarter of 2024. This was 0.1 percent higher than 545.88 thousand metric tons output in the same period of 2023. The aquaculture subsector constituted the highest share of 55.3 percent to the total fisheries production during the quarter. (Figure 5 and Table 1)

Of the 20 major species, output reductions were primarily noted in bali sardinella (tamban, -29.9%), milkfish (bangus, -7.6%), threadfin bream (bisugo, -37.2%), blue crab (alimasag, -29.5%), and seaweed (-0.4%). (Table 2)

On the other hand, increments were mainly reported in skipjack (gulyasan, 28.3%), tilapia (8.8%), frigate tuna (tulingan, 29.6%), fimbriated sardines (tunsoy, 45.1%), and yellowfin tuna (tambakol/bariles, 13.3%). (Table 2)

Note: More detailed data can be accessed at the PSA OpenSTAT portal at https://openstat.psa.gov.ph/PXWeb/pxweb/en/DB/DB__2E__FS/?tablelist=true&rxid=bdf9d8da-96f1-4100-ae09-18cb3eaeb313t

DIVINA GRACIA L. DEL PRADO, PhD
Assistant Secretary
Deputy National Statistician
Sectoral Statistics Office