La Union’s aquaculture fisheries production grows in 2021

The aquaculture production in La Union was posted at 6,979.41 metric tons in 2021. This translates to an increase of 6.06 percent from the previous year’s level of 6,580.81 metric tons.

By ecosystem, brackishwater fishpond recorded   3,738.50 metric tons volume of production that contributed 53.56 percent to the overall aquaculture production of the province in 2021. It was followed by marine cage with  1,970.32  metric tons (28.23 percent share) and oyster with 499.49 metric tons (7.16 percent share).

In 2021, brackishwater fishpond production posted a 26.67 percent increase from  2,951.28 metric tons a year ago. Likewise,  oyster production also inreased by 42.50 percent from 350.52 metric tons. On the other hand, marine cage production decreased by 21.64 percent from 2,514.47 metric tons.

The dominant species in aquaculture subsector of the province in 2021 were milkfish, oyster and tilapia. Milkfish output shared 85.79 percent to the total aquaculture production during the period while oyster and tilapia shared 7.16 percent and 6.62 percent, respectively.

Milkfish production in 2021 was registered at 5,987.87 metric tons. It was higher by 4.16 percent than its production a year ago of 5,748.69 metric tons. Likewise, oyster production increased by 42.50 percent from a production of 350.52 metric tons in 2020 to 499.49 metric tons in 2021. Tilapia production also increased by 6.30 percent from a production of 434.56 metric tons in 2020 to 461.95 metrics tons in 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