The production of aquaculture in the Ilocos Region improved by 8.74 percent in the first quarter of 2023. The volume went up to 25,874.87 metric tons from the 23,794.10 metric tons record during the same quarter of 2022. Among its four provinces, Ilocos Norte and Pangasinan posted increases in output.

Marine Cages Covered More Than Half of the llocos Region Aquaculture Production

According to environment, marine cages dominated the region’s aquaculture production at 69.21 percent in the first quarter of 2023. About 23.42 percent came from brackishwater fishponds, while 6.33 percent came from freshwater fishponds. Other types of aquafarm covered 1.04 percent

Freshwater Fishpond dominated llocos Norte’s Aquaculture Production

The principal aquafarm type in llocos Norte was freshwater fishpond at 127.70 metric tons of production and covering 72.51 percent of the province’s output. It was followed by brackishwater fishponds and brackishwater cages at 13.42 and 8.18 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, other environments contributed 5.89 percent.

Freshwater Fishpond, Brackishwater Cage, and Brackishwater Fishpond Almost Have the Same Share in Aquaculture Production of llocos Sur

Production in freshwater fishponds and brackishwater cages in llocos Sur closely followed each other in first quarter 2023. Freshwater fishpond produced 29.76 metric tons or 27.67 percent of the provincial output, while brackishwater cage produced 29.37 metric tons, equivalent to 27.31 percent. Concurrently, brackishwater fishponds contributed 26.31 percent. Other aquafarms shared 18.71 percent of the output.

Brackishwater Fishpond Contributed More Than Half of La Union’s Aquaculture Production

Predominantly, at most half of La Union’s aquaculture production came from brackishwater fishpond at 53.15 percent share (393.16 metric tons). Marine cages were the second top-producing aquafarm type in the province with 29.09 percent contribution. La Union was the lone province in the llocos Region with oyster farms as one of the top contributors in their aquaculture production. Oyster farms were able to share 8.18 percent. Other types contributed 9.58 percent to the provincial output.

Marine Cage Dominated Aquaculture Production of Pangasinan

Marine cages in Pangasinan have the highest share in their aquaculture production in the first quarter of 2023. It registered a total of 17,688.53 metric tons, or 71.18 percent of the provincial output. About 22.60 percent of Pangasinan’s production was from brackishwater fishponds. Meanwhile, freshwater fishponds were able to contribute 5.90 percent. Other aquafarm types shared 0.32 percent.

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