Philippine Fish Deliveries Dip in January Despite Year-on-Year Growth

In January, the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) reported a total of 38,780.63 metric tons (MT) of fish unloaded, which is a 19.12 percent decrease from the 47,952 MT delivered in December. Despite this decline, the total was still 2.3 percent higher than the 37,900.16 MT delivered in the same month of 2023. The decrease was attributed to closed fishing seasons in key areas and unfavorable weather conditions.

Lucena Fish Port Complex (LFPC) in South-Central Luzon recorded an 8.17 percent increase in fish deliveries, amounting to 1,645.61 MT. The Zamboanga Fish Port Complex in Western Mindanao saw a 10.97-percent increase with 857.75 MT of fish handled. However, the General Santos Fish Port Complex experienced a slight decrease in fish unloading at 22,706.98 MT due to a reduction in vessel arrivals.

Navotas Fish Port Complex's delivery dropped by 35.7 percent to 10,606.00 MT. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources had announced a three-month closed fishing season starting in November last year in the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Visayan Sea for species conservation during their spawning period.

Both Iloilo Fish Port Complex and Bulan Fish Port Complex also saw declines in fish delivery, unloading 1,607.20 MT and 1,080.95 MT of fish, respectively. Davao Fish Port Complex reported a decline in fish volume, unloading 276.14 MT, due to adverse weather conditions and calamities.

PFDA anticipates a significant recovery in fish deliveries in February when the annual closed fishing season in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Palawan, and the Visayan Sea concludes.