The fisheries production in Ilocos Norte for the 4th quarter of 2024 totaled 798.2 metric tons, a decrease from 903.3 metric tons in the same period of 2023. Breaking it down by subsector, marine production in 2024 was 706.37 metric tons, a decrease from 807.52 metric tons in 2023. Inland fish production also declined from 44.88 metric tons in 2023 to 27.16 metric tons in 2024. On the other hand, aquaculture fish production saw an increase, rising from 50.91 metric tons in 2023 to 64.67 metric tons in 2024. Overall, the total production decreased by 105.1 metric tons or about 11.64%, driven by the decline in marine and inland subsectors.

Marine Fisheries Lead Ilocos Norte's 2024 Fish Production with 88.5% Share, Aquaculture on the Rise

In the fourth quarter of 2024, Ilocos Norte’s fisheries production totaled 798.2 metric tons, with marine fisheries leading the way at 706.37 MT, making up 88.5% of the total. Aquaculture followed with 64.67 MT (8.1%), underscoring its growing role in supporting a sustainable fish supply. Inland fisheries contributed the smallest share, with 27.16 MT (3.4%), reflecting the limited contribution of freshwater sources in the province. These figures highlight the province’s strong reliance on marine fisheries and the increasing importance of aquaculture as a viable alternative.

Tilapia Leads Inland Fish Production in Ilocos Norte for Q4 2024

The total inland fish production in Ilocos Norte for the 4th quarter of 2024 reached 27.16 metric tons, reflecting the continued contribution of various fish, crustacean, and mollusk species to the province’s fisheries sector. Tilapia remained the dominant species, accounting for 14.45 metric tons, followed by freshwater goby (2.77 MT) and eel (0.26 MT). Crustacean production totaled 5.79 metric tons, led by freshwater shrimp (2.59 MT) and freshwater crab (1.60 MT). Mollusk production was relatively low at 1.27 metric tons, with freshwater clams (0.59 MT) and clams (0.47 MT) as the primary contributors.

Ilocos Norte Marine Fisheries Production Hits 706.37 MT in Q4 2024, Driven by Tuna Species

In the 4th quarter of 2024, Ilocos Norte’s marine fisheries production totaled 706.37 metric tons. The bulk of this production came from skipjack (Gulyasan), which accounted for 369.29 MT, or 52.3% of the total. Yellowfin tuna (Tambakol/Bariles) was another significant contributor, with 75.86 MT, making up 10.7%. Other species like roundscad (Galunggong), big-eyed scad (Matangbaka), and parrot fish (Loro) also added to the overall production. The "others" category, which includes a variety of different species, contributed 156.12 MT. This highlights the diverse range of marine life that supports the province’s fisheries sector, with a clear dominance from tuna species.
 

Aquaculture Fisheries Production for the 4th Quarter: A Notable Increase from 2023 to 2024

Aquaculture production in Ilocos Norte saw a notable increase in the 4th quarter, rising from 50.91 metric tons in 2023 to 64.67 metric tons in 2024—an increase of 13.76 metric tons, reflecting a 27.04% increase. Tilapia remained the dominant species, accounting for 60.24 metric tons, followed by catfish at 4.32 metric tons. Milkfish and mudfish had minimal production, with 0.02 and 0.08 metric tons, respectively. Meanwhile, species like tiger prawn, mudcrab, white shrimp, and oyster showed no reported production.

Sgd. MARILYN P. VERGARA
Chief Statistical Specialist
Ilocos Norte Provincial Statistical Office
 

MPM/JAS

Concepts and Definitions of Terms

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

Aquafarms are 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 refers mixture of seawater and freshwater with salinity that varies with the tide. Examples are estuaries, mangroves, and mouths of rivers where seawater enters during high tide.

Fisheries refer to 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 (Republic Act No. 8550 otherwise known as “The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998”).

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

Inland municipal fishing is 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 (3) gross tons or less; or fishing not requiring the use of fishing boats.

Marine refers to seawater outside the coastal line such as Manila Bay, Visayan Sea, etc.

Rice fish culture is an integrated farming system involving raising of fish in rice paddies.

Small farm reservoirs (SFR) are small bodies of water with an area of less than
10 km, e.g., small ponds, canals, irrigation canals, swamps, etc., which can be suitable for culture-based fisheries.

Mussel farming refers to the cultivation of mussel in suitable water area by any farming method with appropriate intents and purposes.

Oyster farming refers to the cultivation of oysters in suitable water areas by any method for production purposes.