La Union’s aquaculture fisheries production declines in 4^th Quarter 2021

The aquaculture production in La Union was posted at 873.56 metric tons in 4^th  quarter 2021. This translates to a decrease of 12.39 percent from the previous year’s same quarter level of 997.10 metric tons.

By ecosystem, freshwater fishpond recorded 444.77 metric tons volume of production that contributed more than half (50.91 percent share) to the overall aquaculture production of the province in 4^th quarter 2021. It was followed by marine cage with 402.83 metric tons (46.11 percent share) and oyster with 12.16 metric tons (1.39 percent share).

In 4^th quarter 2021, freshwater fishpond production posted a 14.45 percent increase from 388.61 metric tons in the same period a year ago. On the other hand, marine cage production decreased by 28.05 percent from 559.87 metric tons. Oyster production also decreased by 9.66 percent from 13.46 metric tons.

The dominant species in aquaculture subsector of the province in 4^th quarter 2021 were Tilapia and Milkfish. Tilapia output shared 50.74 percent to the total aquaculture production during the period while milkfish and oyster shared 45.62 percent and 1.39 percent, respectively. (Figure 3)

Tilapia production in 4^th quarter 2021 was registered at 443.26 metric tons. It was higher by 14.46 percent than the production in the same period a year ago of 387.26 metric tons. On the contrary, milkfish production decreased by 31.50 percent from a production of 581.80 metric tons in 4th quarter 2020 to 398.53 metric tons in 4^th quarter 2021. Similarly, oyster production decreased by 9.66 percent from a production of 13.46 metric tons in 4^th quarter 2020 to 12.16 metrics tons in 4^th quarter 2021.

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, Ph.D.
Chief Statistical Specialist

/MAQ/MFC