La Union’s aquaculture fisheries production declines in 2^nd quarter 2024

The aquaculture production in La Union was posted at 3,022.45 metric tons in 2^nd quarter 2024. This translates to a decrease of 34.24 percent from the previous year’s same quarter level of 4,596.27 metric tons. (Figure 1)

By ecosystem, brackishwater fishpond recorded 2,518.50 metric tons volume of production that contributed 83.33 percent to the overall aquaculture production of the province in 2^nd quarter 2024. It was followed by brackishwater pen with 242.93 metric tons (8.04 percent share) and marine cage with 149.99 metric tons (4.96 percent share). (Figure 2)

In 2^nd quarter 2024, brackishwater pen production posted a 13.10 percent increase from its volume of production of 214.79 metric tons in the same period a year ago. Meanwhile, brackishwater fishpond and marine cage production decreased by 36.04 percent and 52.38 percent from their volume of production of 3,937.58 metric tons and 314.97 metric tons, respectively in the same quarter last year.

The dominant species in the aquaculture subsector of the province in 2^nd quarter 2024 were Milkfish, P. Vannamei and Grouper. Milkfish output shared 58.01 percent to the total aquaculture production during the period while P. Vannamei and Grouper shared 14.94 percent and 13.65 percent, respectively. (Figure 3)

Milkfish production in 2^nd quarter 2024 was registered at 1,753.47 metric tons. It was lower by 30.75 percent than the production in the same period a year ago of 2,532.06 metric tons. Likewise, Grouper production decreased by 47.44 percent from 785.10 metric tons in 2^nd quarter 2023 to 412.67 metric tons in 2^nd quarter 2024.

On the other hand, P. Vannamei production increased by 1.33 percent from 445.62 metric tons in 2^nd quarter last year to 451.53 metric tons in 2^nd 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

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