La Union’s aquaculture fisheries production grows in 4^th quarter 2023

The aquaculture production in La Union was posted at 753.32 metric tons in 4^th quarter 2023. This translates to an increase of 17.85 percent from the previous year’s same quarter level of 639.21 metric tons. (Figure 1)

By ecosystem, marine cage recorded 356.46 metric tons volume of production that contributed 47.32 percent share to the overall aquaculture production of the province in 4^th quarter 2023. It was followed by brackishwater fishpond with 178.97 metric tons (23.76 percent share) and brackishwater pen with 173.66 metric tons (23.05 percent share). (Figure 2)

In 4^th quarter 2023, marine cage and brackishwater pen production posted a 54.40 percent and 161.61 percent increase from their volume of production of 230.87 metric tons and 66.38 metric tons, respectively in the same period a year ago. Meanwhile, brackishwater fishpond production decreased from 277.84 metric tons output in the same quarter last year.

The dominant species in aquaculture subsector of the province in 4^th quarter 2023 were Milkfish,Tilapia and Oyster. Milkfish output shared 89.96 percent to the total aquaculture production during the period while Tilapia and Oyster shared 6.01 percent and 1.87 percent, respectively. (Figure 3)

Milkfish production in 4^th quarter 2023 was registered at 677.65 metric tons. It was higher by 27.08 percent than the production in the same period a year ago of 533.24 metric tons. Likewise, Tilapia production increased by 26.64 percent from 35.73 metric tons in 4^th quarter 2022 to 45.25 metric tons in 4th quarter 2023.

On the other hand, Oyster production decreased by 49.32 percent from 27.74 metric tons in 4^th quarter last year to 14.06 metric tons in 4^th quarter 2023.

TECHNICAL NOTES

Aquaculture is a fishery operation involving all forms of raising and culturing of fish and other fishery species in fresh, brackish and marine water areas. The operation is comprised of activities from stocking to harvesting of species under controlled conditions in farming facility called aquafarm.

Aquaculture Production refers to the volume harvested from the aquafarm. It includes those species harvested in marketable/matured size and in fresh form.

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 Aquaculture Survey is a quarterly survey that generates estimates of volume and value of production per aquafarm type and species for the subsector.

SGD. DANITES E. TEÑIDO, PhD 
Chief Statistical Specialist

/MAQ/MFC