La Union’s commercial fisheries production increases in 4^th quarter 2023

The volume of production from commercial fisheries was posted at 198.90 metric tons in 4^th quarter 2023. This recorded an increase of 50.42 percent from its level in 4^th quarter 2022 of 132.23 metric tons. (Figure 1)

The top five major catch in La Union in 4^th quarter 2023 were Slipmouth (Sapsap) with 29.41 metric tons, Hairtail (Espada) with 21.17 metric tons, Threadfin Bream (Bisugo) with 20.17 metric tons, Goatfish (Saramulyete) with 14.61 metric tons, and Indian Mackerel (Alumahan) with 8.67 metric tons.

Slipmouth output contributed 14.79 percent to the total commercial fisheries production in 4^th quarter of 2023. Meanwhile, the shares of Hairtail, Threadfin Bream, Goatfish and Indian Mackerel production to the total commercial fisheries output in the said quarter were 10.64 percent, 10.14 percent, 7.35 percent, and 4.36 percent, respectively. (Figure 2)

The total value of commercial fisheries production in La Union in 4^th quarter 2023 was PhP28,395.71 which was 41.10 percent higher than its value in 4^th quarter 2022 of PhP20,124.22.

The top three species with the highest contribution to the total value of commercial fisheries production in 4^th quarter 2023 included Slipmouth with PhP3,470.60 (12.22 percent share), Hairtail with PhP2,667.90 (9.40 percent share), and Threadfin Bream with PhP2,319.63 (8.17 percent share). Value of production for Hairtail went up by 143.67 percent from its value of production in 4^th quarter 2022. On the contrary, value of production for Threadfin Bream went down by 7.10 percent from its value of production in 4^th quarter 2022. Meanwhile, there is no value of production for Slipmouth in 4^th quarter 2022. (Table 1)

Data for commercial fisheries were obtained from Local Government Unit (LGU) -managed fish landing centers, privately-managed fish landing centers, and traditional fish landing centers.

TECHNICAL NOTES

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 Commercial Fisheries Survey (Traditional Landing Center) is a quarterly survey on the volume of fish unloading in traditional landing centers and the price of fish by species. It gathers data on a quarterly basis but the information that is collected is about monthly fish unloading.

Quarterly Commercial Fisheries Survey (Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), Local Government Units (LGUs), Privately-Managed Landing Centers) is the gathering of data from the records of the PFDA, LGU and privately-managed landing centers. It is done on a quarterly basis but the information being collected is on each of the three months included in the reference quarter.

SGD. DANITES E. TEÑIDO, PhD 
Chief Statistical Specialist

/MAQ/MFC