Fish unloading volume across all regional fish ports recorded an 11.8 percent year-on-year drop in May 2023, according to the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA).
PFDA said total fish unloading volume in May 2023 reached 42,814.9 metric tons (MT) compared with May 2022’s 48,563.31 MT.
Month-to month, May 2023’s unloading volume is 4.3 percent lower compared to April 2023’s 44,721.05 MT.
The agency said in a statement widespread rain brought by Typhoon Betty and the southwest monsoon are the factors for reduced unloading volumes.
Among regional fish ports included in PFDA’s monitoring are the Bulan in Sorsogon; Sual in Pangasinan; General Santos; Davao; Zamboanga; Lucena in Quezon Province; Iloilo; and Navotas.
Based on the Department of Agriculture’s monitoring of public markets in the National Capital Region, prevailing per kg retail price ranges as of Monday were at P150 to P240 for milkfish; P105 to P160 for tilapia; P180 to P280 for local galunggong; P200 for imported galunggong; and P240 to P360 for alumahan.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said up to P80 million is allocated this year for programs that will improve production in fish producing areas facing the West Philippine Sea.
Nazario Briguera, BFAR spokesperson, said at the Laging Handa public briefing yesterday the agency is preparing to provide such areas with boats, fishing gears such as payao and baklad as well as post-harvest equipment, among others.
Briguera added fishing communities from regions of Central Luzon, Ilocos and Mimaropa are set to benefit from the programs
“Based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, between 2021 and 2022, we experienced a decline in production from areas in the West Philippine Sea but this is not directly attributed to issues in the area. Our country is frequently affected by bad weather so we are seeing it as the likely reason,” Briguera said.
However, BFAR did not provide the specific volume of fish caught in waters of the West Philippine Sea.
