Pangasinan’ Fisheries Production increased by 3.23 percent

The province's total fisheries production was estimated to be 20,814.48 metric tons in the third quarter of 2022, a 3.23 percent increase from 20,163.16 metric tons in the same quarter of last year (see Table 1).

The positive growth in the volume of fisheries production was attributed by increases in production in each of its subsectors: commercial, municipal, and aquaculture.

The volume of commercial fisheries production in the first quarter of 2022 was 382.15 metric tons, a significant increase of 37.01 percent from 1,059.11 metric tons in the same quarter last year.

Meanwhile, the harvest from municipal fisheries totaled 1,777.38 metric tons. The volume of production is higher than the previous year's total of 1,574.31 metric tons, representing a 12.90 percent increase. Marine municipal and inland fisheries accounted for 79.31 and 20.69 percent of this volume of production, respectively. Marine municipal produced 1,409.67 metric tons, a 16.55 percent increase in volume over the same period last year. In contrast, inland municipal production was estimated at 367.71 metric tons, an 0.81 percent increase.

Aquaculture fisheries production was estimated to be 17,586.03 metric tons, accounting for the highest volume of production among the province's three subsectors. In comparison to the same quarter a year ago, the subsector's production volume increased by 0.32 percent. Commercial fisheries accounted for 6.97 percent of the province's total fisheries production. Aquaculture production contributed 84.49 percent, while municipal fisheries, including inland and marine, contributed 8.54 percent (see Figure 1).

Commercial Fisheries production grew by 37.01 percent

In the third quarter of 2022, the province's commercial fishing production volume totaled 1,451.07 metric tons, an increase of 37.01 percent over the same quarter in 2021. (see Table 2).

This significant increase was mainly owing to increases in production volume for Roundscad (Galunggong), Frigate tuna (Tulingan), Yellowfin tuna (Tambakol/Bariles), Bigeye tuna (Tambakol/Bariles), Slipmouth (Sapsap), and Spanish mackerel (Tanigue).

With an estimated 479.00 metric tons, Roundscad (Galunggong) exhibited the largest volume in commercial fisheries production, rising from 339.03 metric tons the previous year. Meanwhile, the production of 19 of 26 recorded commercial species posted negative growths. The amount of big-eyed scad (Matangbaka) recorded the least production at 0.06 metric tons.

Marine Municipal Fisheries production expanded by 16.55 percent

The province's marine municipal fisheries production increased by 16.55 percent, or 200.13 more metric tons, compared to the same quarter last year (see Table 3). With an estimate of 1,409.67 metric tons, it accounted for 79.31 percent of the total municipal fisheries production for the third quarter of the year.

The highest production of Squid (Pusit), Big-eyed scad (Matangbaka) Crevalle (Salay-salay), and Blue crab (Alimasag) are attributed to this increase, with corresponding estimates of 312.73, 182.77, 92.76 and 54.78 metric tons, respectively. The marine municipal fisheries with the lowest production volume were Slipmouth (Sapsap), Bigeye tuna (Tambakol/ Bariles), and Frigate tuna (Tulingan) estimated at 4.97, 1.06 and 0.94 metric tons, respectively.

Inland Municipal Fisheries production grew by 0.81 percent

The production of inland municipal subsector in Pangasinan had increased by 0.81 percent, translated to 2.94 metric tons more, compared to third quarter of 2021. It recorded a production volume 367.71 metric tons, accounting for 20.69 percent of the total municipal fisheries (see table 4).

The largest yields of Milkfish (Bangus), Mullet (Kapak), Freshwater clams (Tulya) were mostly responsible for the increased production of inland municipal fisheries. In contrast, Carp, Eel (Igat), Catfish (Kanduli), Mudfish (Dalag), and Gourami had the lowest production volume during the third quarter of 2022.

Aquaculture Fisheries production volume dropped by 0.32 percent

Aquaculture Fisheries in the province reached 17,586.03 metric tons in the third quarter of 2022, an increase of 0.32 percent from Q3 in 2021.

High productions of Marine Cage – Milkfish, Brackishwater Fishpond – Milkfish, and Marine Pen – Milkfish were primarily responsible for the increased production of inland municipal fisheries with estimates of 8392.71, 5745.75, and 2663.73 metric tons, respectively.

Meanwhile, Brackishwater Fishpond - Siganid, Brackishwater Fishpond – Mudcrab, and Freshwater Fishpond – Mudfish had the lowest production volume, estimated at 2.22, 0.27, and 0.05 respectively.

SGD. EDGAR M. NORBERTE
Chief Statistical Specialist, PSO Pangasinan