The overall fisheries production in Ilocos Region grew by 8.08 percent in 3^rd quarter 2019. From the total output of 23,365 metric tons in 3^rd quarter 2018, it accelerated to 25,253 metric tons this year. Pangasinan contributed to the overall growth of the fisheries sector in the region.

Compared with their levels a year ago, the commercial and aquaculture subsectors registered higher production in 3^rd quarter 2019, while the municipal subsector declined. The aquaculture subsector contributed 77.38 percent to the total fisheries output. The municipal fisheries accounted for 16.15 percent while the commercial subsector shared 6.47 percent.

In terms of provincial distribution, the province of Pangasinan shared the bulk of production in the region of 84.97 percent. The overall volume of production of the province was posted at 21,459 metric tons, or 14.24 percent higher than its production in the same period of 2018. The commercial and aquaculture sub-sectors posted increases in output, while the municipal sub-sector output decreased.

La Union ranked second in terms of production during the period. It accounted for   6.30 percent to the total volume of production in the region. Its fisheries output went down from 1,993 metric tons in 3^rd quarter 2018 to 1,590 metric tons in 3^rd quarter 2019. The decline in output was attributed by the lower production in commercial and aquaculture subsectors.

Ilocos Sur also recorded lower fisheries production in 3^rd quarter 2019 compared with its level in 3^rd quarter 2018. The output was registered at 1,119 metric tons, lower than its production a year ago of 1,200 metric tons. The lower production in commercial and municipal subsectors contributed to the overall decline in the fisheries output of the province.

Ilocos Norte, which had the least percent share of 4.30 percent to the total fisheries production of Ilocos Region in 3^rd quarter 2019, recorded lower fisheries production than its level in the same period a year ago. From 1,388 metric tons production, it went down to 1,085 metric tons attributed by the decline in the output of both municipal and aquaculture subsectors.

Commercial Fisheries

The commercial fisheries volume of production in Ilocos Region was posted at 1,632 metric tons in 3^rd quarter 2019. The output was higher than the level in 3^rd quarter 2018 of 638 metric tons. The provinces of Pangasinan and La Union contributed to the increment. The increase in number of fishing days, more harvest from artificial reefs and payaos, coupled with bigger sizes of catch were the factors that might contributed to the positive growth. Also, some fishing vessels that previously dry-docked were back to operation.

In terms of provincial shares, Pangasinan accounted for 84.62 percent of the region’s commercial fisheries volume of production in 3^rd quarter 2019. La Union distantly followed with 10.85 percent share, and Ilocos Sur with 4.53 percent share.

The top five major catch in the region during the quarter were Roundscad, Frigate tuna, Skipjack, Yellowfin tuna, and Threadfin bream.

Municipal Fisheries

The overall municipal fisheries production in Ilocos Region went down by 12.56 percent in 3^rd quarter 2019. The production was posted at 4,079 metric tons, lower than the output in 3^rd quarter 2018 of 4,665 metric tons. The decline in marine municipal fisheries contributed to the overall decrement in production of the subsector.

Marine Municipal

Production of Marine Municipal Fisheries in Ilocos Region decreased in 3^rd quarter 2019.  Its output was posted at 3,486 metric tons, lower than the output in 3^rd quarter 2018 of 4,276 metric tons. All the provinces of the region, except La Union, contributed to the overall decline in output. Lesser fishing days were recorded due to rough seas brought by southwest monsoon and various typhoons and tropical depressions, coupled with the absence of school of fish.

The province of Pangasinan contributed 45.91 percent to the region’s marine municipal fish catch for the 3^rd quarter 2019, followed by Ilocos Norte with 29.14 percent share, Ilocos Sur with 17.41 percent share, and La Union with 7.54 percent.

The dominant catch in marine municipal waters of Ilocos Region during the period were Rounscad, Yellowfin tuna, Skipjack, Squid, and Slipmouth.

Inland Municipal Fisheries

Production of Inland Municipal Fisheries in Ilocos Region grew in 3^rd quarter 2019. From the output of 389 metric tons in the same period last year, it went up to 593 metric tons this year. All the provinces of the region posted higher production. Increased number of fishing days was recorded due to favorable water level and bigger sizes of catch. The occurrence of rains and flooding favored the reproduction and more appearance of fish species.

By province, Pangasinan ranked first in the volume of production of Inland municipal fisheries during the 3^rd quarter 2019 with 36.75 percent share. Ilocos Sur followed with 31.85 percent share, La Union with 25.90, and Ilocos Norte with 5.50 percent.

The top five major catch in the region during the period were Tilapia, Freshwater goby, Endeavor prawn, Carp and Blue crab.

Aquaculture

Aquaculture production in Ilocos Region posted at 19,541 metric tons in 3^rd quarter 2019. This is higher than the production in 3^rd quarter 2018 of 18,061 metric tons. Higher survival rate, bigger sizes of catch, better water parameter, availability of quality breeders and fingerlings were the factors that could have contributed to the positive growth in output. Also, there were no destructive flooding during the period that may cause the overflowing of stocks in pens and cages.

The province of Pangasinan shared the bulk of aquaculture production in 3^rd quarter 2019 with 93.44 percent. By culture type, aquaculture in Ilocos Region  was dominated by Marine cage which accounted for 58.15 percent of the total production.

By species, Milkfish dominated the aquaculture production in Ilocos Region in 3^rd quarter 2019 with a share of 95.07 percent. Its production was registered at 18,606 metric tons, higher than its output in the same quarter last year of 17,121 metric tons. Higher survival rate, bigger sizes of catch, better water parameter, availability of quality breeders and fingerlings were the factors that might contributed to the positive growth in output. Also there were no destructive flooding during the period that could have cause the overflowing of stocks in pens and cages. Bulk of milkfish production came from the province of Pangasinan.

Meanwhile, Tilapia ranked second in terms of volume of aquaculture production during the 3^rd quarter 2019 with a share of 1.85 percent. Production of Tilapia during the period was posted at 363 metric tons, lower than the 366 metric tons in 3^rd quarter 2018. More cages were not stocked due to flood risk. Smaller sizes were harvested due to forced harvest before the occurrence of Typhoon Ineng.  There were also cages that were flooded during the typhoon that resulted to the loss of stocks.

TECHNICAL NOTES

The Fisheries Production Survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is divided into four major fisheries surveys. These are the Quarterly Commercial Fisheries Survey (QCFS), Quarterly Municipal Fisheries Survey (QMFS), Quarterly Inland Fisheries Survey (QIFS) and Quarterly Aquaculture Survey (QAqS). The commercial and municipal fisheries surveys aim to provide quarterly data on volume and value of fish production by species, by region, and by province. The aquaculture survey is intended to generate quarterly data on volume and value of cultured species by environment, by type of aquafarm, by region, and by province.

Concepts and Definitions:

 Aquaculture – fishery operation involving all forms of raising and culturing of fish and other fishery species in marine, brackish and freshwater environment. Examples are fishponds, fish pens, fish cages, mussel, oyster, seaweed farms and hatcheries.

Aquafarm – the farming facilities used in the culture or propagation of aquatic species including fish, mollusk, crustaceans, and aquatic plants for purposes of rearing to enhance production.

Brackishwater – mixture of seawater and freshwater with salinity that varies with the tide. Example are estuaries, mangroves, and mouths of rivers where seawater enters during high tide.

Commercial Fishing – the catching of fish with the use of fishing boats with a capacity of more than three (3) gross tons for trade, business or profit beyond subsistence or sports fishing.

Fisheries – all activities relating to the act or business of fishing, culturing, preserving, processing, marketing, developing, conserving and managing aquatic resources and the fishery areas including the privilege to fish or take aquatic resources thereof (RA 8550).

Fisheries Sector – the sector engaged in the production, growing, harvesting, processing, marketing, developing, conserving and managing aquatic resources and fishing areas.

Fish Cage – stationary or floating fish enclosure made of synthetic net wire/bamboo screen or other materials set in the form of an inverted mosquito net (“hapa” type) with or without cover with all sides either tied to poles staked to the water bottom or with anchored floats for aquaculture purposes.

Fishing Gear – any instrument or device and its accessories utilized in taking fish and other fishery species.

Fishing Grounds – areas in any body of water where fish and other aquatic resources congregate and become the target of capture.

Fish Pen – an artificial enclosure constructed within a body of water for culturing fish and fishery/ aquatic resources made up of bamboo poles closely arranged in an enclosure with wooden materials, screen or nylon netting to prevent an escape of fish.

Fishpond – a body of water (artificial or natural) where fish and other aquatic products are cultured, raised or cultivated under controlled conditions. This is a land-based type of aquafarm. Note that the setting-up of fish cages in ponds does not make the operation of a fish cage and at the same time a fishpond.

Freshwater – water without salt or marine origins, such as generally found in lakes, rivers, canals, dams, reservoirs, paddy fields, and swamps.

Inland Municipal Fishing – the catching of fish, crustaceans, mollusks and all other aquatic animals and plants in inland water like lakes, rivers, dams, marshes, etc. using simple gears and fishing boats some of which are non-motorized with a capacity of three gross tons or less; or fishing not requiring the use of fishing boats.

Landing Center – a place where the fish catch and other aquatic products are unloaded and traded.

Municipal Fishing – covers fishing operation carried out with or without the use of a boat weighing three gross tons or less.

ATTY. SHEILA O. DE GUZMAN

(Chief Administrative Officer)

          Officer-in-Charge