La Union’s aquaculture fisheries production declines in 1^st quarter 2024

The aquaculture production in La Union was posted at 564.89 metric tons in 1^st quarter 2024. This translates to a decrease of 23.64 percent from the previous year’s same quarter level of 739.75 metric tons. (Figure 1)

By ecosystem, brackishwater fishpond recorded 313.81 metric tons volume of production that contributed 55.55 percent share to the overall aquaculture production of the province in 1^st quarter 2024. It was followed by marine cage with 145.45 metric tons (25.75 percent share) and brackishwater pen with 45.22 metric tons (8.01 percent share). (Figure 2)

In 1^st quarter 2024, brackishwater pen production posted a 0.24 percent increase from its volume of production of 45.11 metric tons in the same period a year ago. Meanwhile, brackishwater fishpond and marine cage production decreased by 20.18 percent and 32.41 percent from their volume of production of 393.16 metric tons and 215.20 metric tons, respectively in the same quarter last year.

The dominant species in aquaculture subsector of the province in 1^st quarter 2024 were Milkfish, Oyster and P. Vannamei. Milkfish output shared 85.21 percent to the total aquaculture production during the period while Oyster and P. Vannamei shared 7.71 percent and 2.34 percent, respectively. (Figure 3)

Milkfish production in 1^st quarter 2024 was registered at 481.33 metric tons. It was lower by 26.12 percent than the production in the same period a year ago of 651.54 metric tons. Likewise, Oyster production decreased by 28.06 percent from 60.55 metric tons in 1^st quarter 2023 to 43.56 metric tons in 1^st quarter 2024.

On the other hand, P. Vannamei production increased by 11.76 percent from 11.82 metric tons in 1^st quarter last year to 13.21 metric tons in 1^st quarter 2024.

TECHNICAL NOTES

Aquaculture is a fishery operation involving all forms of raising and culturing of fish and other fishery species in fresh, brackish and marine water areas. The operation is comprised of activities from stocking to harvesting of species under controlled conditions in farming facility called aquafarm.

Aquaculture Production refers to the volume harvested from the aquafarm. It includes those species harvested in marketable/matured size and in fresh form.

Landing Center is a place where the fish catch and other aquatic products are unloaded and traded. Traditional landing center is a type of landing center where fishermen could unload their catch and/or dock their fishing boats without any obligation or payment for the use of the place.

Quarterly Aquaculture Survey is a quarterly survey that generates estimates of volume and value of production per aquafarm type and species for the subsector.

SGD. DANITES E. TEÑIDO, PhD 
Chief Statistical Specialist

/MAQ/MFC