FISH ports across the country reported lower deliveries in August due to closed fishing season and weather disturbances, according to data from the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA).
The agency said the shipment of fish and its byproducts for the period totaled 42,354 metric tons (MT), a drop of over 16 percent from the 50,862 MT in July.
Among the nine regional fish ports (RFPs) the PFDA monitors, seven posted a negative output, attributed to fishing bans implemented annually and unfavorable weather conditions during the month. The Navotas Fish Port, the largest in the country, yielded 15,809 MT of fish and byproducts, down by 11 percent compared to 17,765 MT in July.
Fish from the Lucena Fish Port Complex slightly fell to 1,669 MT compared to the previous 1,793 MT. In the case of the General Santos Fish Port Complex, fish deliveries could reach only 19,718 MT, a 21.7-percent decline from the 25,205 MT in July.
Likewise, fish from the Bulan Fish Port Complex was down to 1,328 MT, a huge 25.6 percent decrease from July’s 1,785 MT.Citing the closed fishing season implemented annually in Davao Gulf from June 1 to August 31, the Davao Fish Port Complex could only manage 123.783 MT of fish, or 32 percent lower compared to the previous 182.377 MT.
Similarly, the Iloilo Fish Port Complex posted lower deliveries of 2,724 MT, or 10.7 percent lower than the previous 3,053.05 MT.
Maintaining its fish shipments from the previous month, the Camaligan fish Port delivered 0.21 MT to its stakeholders last month. The Zamboanga Fish Port Complex also experienced a slight slowdown of 944.27 MT due to inclement weather and fewer arrivals of commercial vessels and municipal boats. The PFDA also noted bad weather in fishing grounds in the West Philippine Sea as the reason for the Sual Fish Port’s low output of 35.7 MT.
Despite the low numbers, the agency said, “The PFDA RFPs remain committed to providing clients and stakeholders with a steady supply of fishery products.”
Janine Alexis Miguel
