La Union’s aquaculture fisheries production increases in 2022

The aquaculture production in La Union was posted at 7,675.53 metric tons in 2022. This translates to an increase of 9.97 percent from the previous year’s level of 6,979.41 metric tons.

By ecosystem, brackishwater fishpond recorded   5,581.40 metric tons volume of production that contributed 72.72 percent share to the overall aquaculture production of the province in 2022. It was followed by marine cage with  1,334.59 metric tons (17.39 percent share) and brackishwater pen with  421.57 metric tons (5.49 percent share).

In 2022, brackishwater fishpond production posted a 49.30 percent increase from    3,738.50 metric tons a year ago. Likewise, brackishwater pen production increased from 6.80 metric tons output last year. On the other hand, marine cage production decreased by 32.27 percent from  1,970.32 metric tons.

The dominant species in aquaculture subsector of the province in 2022 were Milkfish, Grouper, and Tilapia. Milkfish output shared 68.46 percent to the total aquaculture production during the period while Grouper and Tilapia shared 10.57 percent and 6.38 percent, respectively. (Figure 3)

Milkfish production in 2022 was registered at 5,254.42 metric tons. It was lower by 12.25 percent than a year ago production of 5,987.87 metric tons. On the contrary, Grouper and Tilapia production recorded increases from their production of 1.55 metric tons and 461.95 metric tons in 2021, respectively. Grouper and Tilapia outputs in 2022 were estimated at 811.46 metric tons and 489.89 metric tons, respectively.

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, Ph.D.
Chief Statistical Specialist

MAQ/MFC