La Union’s aquaculture fisheries production declines in 2023

The aquaculture production in La Union was posted at 6,744.52 metric tons in 2023. This translates to a decrease of 12.13 percent from the previous year’s level of 7,675.53 metric tons.

By ecosystem, brackishwater fishpond recorded 4,603.53 metric tons volume of production that contributed 68.26 percent share to the overall aquaculture production of the province in 2023. It was followed by marine cage with 1,128.47 metric tons (16.73 percent share) and brackishwater pen with 712.35 metric tons (10.56 percent share).

In 2023, brackishwater fishpond production posted a 17.52 percent decrease from 5,581.40 metric tons a year ago. Likewise, marine cage production recorded a decrease of 15.44 percent from 1,334.59 metric tons output last year. On the other hand, brackishwater pen production increased by 68.98 percent from 421.57 metric tons.

The dominant species in aquaculture subsector of the province in 2023 were Milkfish, Grouper and Tilapia. Milkfish output shared 65.77 percent to the total aquaculture production during the period while Grouper and Tilapia shared 11.75 percent and 7.84 percent, respectively. (Figure 3)

Milkfish production in 2023 was registered at 4,435.54 metric tons. It was lower by 15.58 percent than the production a year ago of 5,254.42 metric tons. Likewise, Grouper production decreased by 2.31 from last year’s production of 811.46 metric tons to 792.73 metric tons in 2023. On the contrary, Tilapia production increased by 7.87 percent from its production of 489.89 metric tons in 2022 to 528.44 metrics tons in 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