Fish catch across all regional fish ports proved 11.8 percent lower on annual basis in May, according to the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA).
PFDA said total fish unloading volume for the month totaled only 42,814.9 metric tons (MT) versus 48,563.31 MT a year earlier. This was also 4.3 percent lower compared to fish caught in April totaling 44,721.05 MT.
The agency said widespread rains that came with Typhoon Betty and the southwest monsoon were critical factors in the reduced fish catch.
The regional fish ports in PFDA monitoring include Bulan in Sorsogon; Sual in Pangasinan; General Santos; Davao; Zamboanga; Lucena in Quezon Province; Iloilo; and Navotas.
The prevailing per kilo retail price of fish as of Monday ranges from P150 to P240 for milkfish; P105 to P160 for tilapia; P180 to P280 for local galunggong; P200 for imported galunggong; and P240 to P360 for alumahan based on Department of Agriculture monitoring of public markets in the National Capital Region.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), in a separate venue, said that up to P80 million was set aside for programs this year boosting production in fish producing areas facing the West Philippine Sea.
Nazario Briguera, BFAR spokesperson, said the agency is preparing to provide fisherfolk in these localities with boats, fishing gear such as payao and baklad as well as post-harvest equipment, among others.
Fishing communities in Central Luzon, Ilocos and Mimaropa are to benefit from the propject as well, he added.
Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, Briguera noted a decline in fish production from the West Philippine Sea that he attributed to bad weather.
The BFAR official refused to detail fish catch from the West Philippine Sea.
