The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) – La Union Provincial Statistical Office will carry out the 1^st Quarter 2023 Fisheries Surveys in the province that include Quarterly Aquaculture Survey (QAqS) and Quarterly Inland Municipal Survey (QIFS) on 13 to 24 March 2023.

The surveys aim to generate data on volume and value of production on inland fisheries and aquaculture by aqua farm type and species. The statistics that will be generated through these surveys will serve as input in the compilation of national accounts, estimation of performance of agriculture, researches and studies, policy making, and program implementation.  This will also serve as guide in the development of appropriate policy measures and support programs to help fisher folks cope with the impact of community quarantine and continue their fishing activities and livelihood. 

PSA-La Union hired and trained 13 Statistical Researchers (SRs) who will visit 509 aqua farm operators and 99 inland fishing households to generate fisheries outputs in coordination with the Local Government Units (LGUs).

All information obtained from the respondents shall be treated with utmost confidentiality. Section 26 of Republic Act (RA) No. 10625 stipulates that “individual data furnished by a respondent to statistical inquiries, surveys, and censuses conducted by the PSA shall be considered privilege communication and shall be inadmissible as evidence in any proceeding.”

Meanwhile, the key results of the 4^th Quarter 2022 Fisheries Surveys in La Union are the following:

• La Union ranked third among the provinces of Ilocos Region in terms of fisheries volume of production in 4^th quarter 2022.  It contributed 1.54 percent to the total volume of fish production in the region.

• The total volume of fisheries production in 4^th quarter 2022 was estimated at 1,225.10 metric tons which was 65.55 percent lower than 3,555.79 metric tons estimate in 4^th quarter of 2021.

• Among the fisheries subsectors, aquaculture posted the largest contribution (52.18%) to the fisheries output in the province in 4^th quarter 2022. Aquaculture fisheries production was estimated at 639.21 metric tons in 4^th quarter 2022 lower by 26.83 percent than its output of 873.56 metric tons in 4^th quarter 2021.

• Municipal fisheries ranked second with 453.66 metric tons contributing 37.03 percent to the total fisheries production of the province. The 4^th quarter 2022 production showed a decrease of 79.06 percent from the 2,166.14 metric tons production in 4^th quarter 2021.

• Commercial fisheries had the smallest (10.79%) contribution to the fisheries volume of production in the province at 132.23 metric tons. It showed a decrease of 74.38 percent from the 516.09 metric tons in 4^th quarter 2021.

• The total value of all fisheries production in La Union in 4^th quarter 2022 was recorded at PhP202,001.48 which was 61.41 percent lower than its value in the same quarter of last year at PhP523,397.65.

SGD. DANITES E. TEÑIDO, Ph.D.
Chief Statistical Specialist

MAQ/MFC