“It is worth noting that fish caging has finally recovered in the first quarter of the year,” said Engr. Cecilio Y. Clarete, chief economic development specialist of NEDA-10.
He said fish produced through marine fish-caging significantly increased by almost 68 per cent to 613.48 metric tons (MT) compared to the 310.58 MT produced in the same quarter last year.
Mr Clarete said the favorable harvest was noted in Misamis Oriental province and in Lopez Jaena, Plaridel and Sapang Dalaga in Misamis Occidental.
Overall, the fishery industry in Northern Mindanao showed positive output during the quarter with a total production of 35,821.98 MT, slightly higher by one per cent compared to last year’s first quarter level.
Both commercial and municipal fishing posted increases during the quarter due to abundant supply of sardines in February and March and more dispersal of tilapia fingerlings in the rivers and dams.
Commercial fishing output went up by four per cent to 9,256.49 MT in the first quarter. Output from municipal fishing likewise rose by one per cent during the quarter reaching 9,707.86 MT.
The positive growth in outputs from commercial and municipal fishing has offset the slight decrease in aquaculture production.
Aquaculture production, which contributed 47 per cent of the total fishery production decreased by 0.26 per cent, from last year’s first quarter level of 16,901.67 MT to 16,857.63 MT, this year.
The negative growth in aquaculture production was partly due to the two per cent decline in seaweeds production, which accounts for bulk of aquaculture total production.
Mr Clarete said the downward performance of seaweeds production was due to the negative yield of alvarezii caused by continuous rain brought about by low pressure area and typhoon Agaton in January this year.
