Overall Fisheries production in Ilocos Region drops by 0.9 percent

The total fisheries production in Ilocos Region was recorded at 192,279 metric tons in 2023, slightly lower than the 194,114 metric tons in 2022 by 0.9 percent. The region's output contributed 4.5 percent to the total fisheries production of the Philippines in 2023.

The aquaculture subsector contributed bulk of the overall fisheries production in the region in 2023 with 85.5 percent share. Meanwhile, municipal and commercial fisheries contributed 12.2 percent and 2.3 percent, respectively.

Aquaculture production increased from 162,778 metric tons in 2022 to 164,346 metric tons in 2023 recording a growth rate of 1.0 percent. In contrast, municipal fisheries recorded a decline of 11.6 percent from 26,578 metric tons in 2022 to 23,483 metric tons in 2023. Similarly, commercial fisheries decreased by 6.5 percent from 4,759 metric tons output in 2022.

In 2023, Pangasinan was the leading contributor in fisheries production, accounting for 88.8 percent of the region's total output with 170,870 metric tons. La Union followed with a production volume of 11,299 metric tons, contributing 5.9 percent to the regional total. Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte contribute with 6,339 metric tons (3.3 percent) and 3,772 metric tons (2.0 percent), respectively.

Milkfish production has the highest output of 143,554 metric tons in 2023 which comprise 74.7 percent of the total fisheries production in the region. Its production increased from 143,364 metric tons in 2022 or a growth rate of 0.1 percent.

Tilapia production grew by 7.5 percent from 15,661 metric tons in 2022 to 16,833 metric tons in 2023. Yellowfin tuna recorded a growth of 10.6 percent from 3,148 metric tons in 2022. Skipjack also showed increase in production from 2,888 metric tons to 2,912 metric tons or a growth rate of 0.8 percent.

Roundscad decline in production from 3,558 metric tons in 2022. Similarly, squid production decreased by 15.2 percent.

SGD. ATTY. SHEILA O. DE GUZMAN, CPA
Regional Director