The commercial fisheries production in the Ilocos Region was at 595.77 metric tons in the first quarter of 2023. This output was lower by 4.58 percent over the 2022 production of 624.36 metric tons. Pangasinan has the highest contribution at 64.22 percent, while La Union and Ilocos Sur contributed 34.40 and 1.38 percent, respectively.

Frigate Tuna was the Top Fish Species in Ilocos Region during First Quarter 2023

By species, Frigate tuna was the top contributor to the region’s commercial fisheries production. It posted 64.97 metric tons covering 10.91 percent of the region’s production. Yellowfin tuna followed at 10.51 percent and roundscad at 8.65 percent. Other species shared 69.93 percent.

Only Six of the Top Commercial Fish Species Posted Increased Output in First Quarter 2023

Among the top species caught in commercial waters, there were only six species that posted increases in production which include yellowfin tuna , frigate tuna, goatfish, spanish mackerel, hairtail, and threadfin bream 

Skipjack or Gulyasan contributed most of the commercial fisheries production in Ilocos Sur at 3.33 metric tons covering 40.36 percent of the output. yellowfin tuna followed with 2.69 metric tons, equivalent to 32.61 percent of the province’s production. Meanwhile, roundscad accounted for 23.39 percent, and other species covered 3.64 percent.

All species registered lower output compared to their respective levels in the same period of 2022.

In La Union, the commercial fisheries production was 204.93 metric tons in the first quarter of 2023. About 10.13 percent of the production was contributed by threadfin bream at 20.76 metric tons. It was followed by goatfish at 9.13 percent or equivalent to 18.72 metric tons. Hairtail ranked third with the highest contribution in the province’s output of about 6.16 percent (12.62 metric tons). Other species contributed to 74.58 percent of the province’s commercial fisheries production.
 

Majority of the species in the commercial fisheries of La Union posted negative growths resulting to lower provincial production.

About 16.98 percent of Pangasinan’s overall commercial fisheries production was contributed by frigate tuna posted at 64.97 metric tons. Meanwhile, yellowfin tuna and roundscad ranked second and third with the most production at 59.95 and 49.59 metric tons, respectively.

According to rate of production, production on yellowfin tuna more than quintupled its volume as compared to same quarter last 2022 at 442.04 percent. Similarly, frigate tuna posted an increase of 168.03 percent. On the other hand, the production of roundscad, threadfin bream, and slipmouth registered decreases at 66.23 percent, 18.34 percent, and 18.22 percent, respectively.

The increased production of yellowfin tuna, frigate tuna, skipjack, hairtail, and spanish mackerel contributed to the overall positive growth of the province in its commercial fisheries.

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