The Philippine Statistics Authority – La Union Provincial Statistical Office conducts the Third Quarter 2020 Fisheries Survey on September 21 to 25, 2020 with the aim to generate data on volume and value of production on fisheries, and aquaculture by aqua farm type.

The four surveys to be conducted are Quarterly Commercial Fisheries Survey (QCFS), Quarterly Municipal Fisheries Survey (QMFS), Quarterly Inland Municipal Survey (QIFS) and Quarterly Aquaculture Survey (QAqS). The survey result will serve as bases in the development of appropriate policy measures and support programs to aid fisherfolks cope with the impact of community quarantine and continue their fishing activities and livelihood. 

Moreover, the statistics that will be generated through the conduct of these surveys will serve as input in the compilation of national accounts, researches and studies, estimation of performance of agriculture, policy making and program implementation on fisheries.

The six PSA hired and trainedStatistical Researchers (SRs) will visit fish landing centers for commercial and municipal fisheries along with the selected sample aqua farm operators and inland fishing households to generate fisheries outputs. The SRs will coordinate with the Local Government Unit (LGU) with the conduct of the survey amidst the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and will abide with the existing health and safety protocols.

Meanwhile, the key results of the 2^nd Quarter 2020 Fisheries Surveys in La Union are the following:

• La Union ranked second among the provinces of Ilocos Region in terms of fisheries production in 2^nd quarter 2020.  It contributed 11.47 percent to the total volume of fish production in the region.
• The total volume of fisheries production in 2^nd quarter 2020 was estimated at 4,124 metric tons which was 22.35 percent lower than the 5,311 metric tons estimate in 2^nd quarter 2019.
• The commercial fisheries volume of production in La Union reached 248 metric tons in the 2^nd quarter 2020. The output was lower than its level in 2^nd quarter 2019 of 263 metric tons. This comprised 17.24 percent of the total fisheries production of
  La Union.
• Production from municipal fisheries in La Union in 2^nd quarter 2020 was estimated at 684 metric tons, higher by 103.36 percent than its output of 336 metric tons in 2^nd quarter 2019. Of the total, marine municipal fisheries comprised 9.36 percent while the 22.47 percent came from inland fisheries. 
• Despite the decline in volume of production by 32.25 percent, the aquaculture subsector posted the second highest production (11.39 percent share) among the fisheries subsectors in the province in 2^nd quarter 2020 at 3,193 metric tons.

Further, the PSA reassures the public that all data and information collected by SRs are for statistical purposes only. Information obtained from the respondents shall be accorded strictly confidential as provided under Republic Act(RA) 10625. ##

DANITES E. TEÑIDO, Ph.D.

Chief Statistical Specialist