FISHERY PRODUCTION IN LEYTE GROWS BY 22.03 PERCENT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2024

Fishery production in Leyte (including Tacloban City) recorded a 22.03 percent growth in the fourth quarter of 2024. The province's total fish production rose to 5,471.51 metric tons (MT) in this period, up from 4,483.66 MT in the same quarter of 2023. Leyte’s fishery output made up 23.46 percent of the total 23,322.42 MT of fish production in Eastern Visayas for the reference quarter.

Among the subsectors, municipal fisheries made the largest contribution, accounting for 3,772.23 MT or 68.94 percent of the total fishery production in the fourth quarter of 2024. Aquaculture contributed 1,087.88 MT, representing 19.88 percent, while commercial fisheries added 611.40 MT, or 11.17 percent.

Commercial fishery production in Leyte reached 611.40 MT in the fourth quarter of 2024, up from 226.08 MT in the same quarter of 2023. This represents a 170.44 percent increase, driven by significant production growth in Yellowfin tuna (1,076.40%), Bigeye tuna (433.11%), and Big-eyed scad (217.64%). Conversely, decreases in production were recorded for Crevalle (-97.17%), Skipjack (-95.51%), and Roundscad (-30.00%). The top five (5) species in commercial fisheries during the fourth quarter of 2024 were Yellowfin tuna, Bigeye tuna, Big-eyed scad, Roundscad, and Bali sardinella, which together accounted for 92.74 percent of total commercial fishery production.

Similarly, municipal fisheries (marine and inland) registered a 49.10 percent increase in production, rising from 2,529.94 MT in the fourth quarter of 2023 to 3,772.23 MT in the same quarter of 2024. Marine municipal fisheries contributed the majority, accounting for 97.76 percent of total municipal fishery production, while inland municipal fisheries made up only 2.24 percent.

Marine municipal fisheries production was 3,687.84 MT in the fourth quarter of 2024, a 49.09 percent increase compared to 2,473.53 MT in the same period in 2023. Species with the highest increases in production included Roundscad (412.54%), Crevalle (352.33%), Spanish mackerel (289.30%), Eastern little tuna (288.13%), and Porgies (248.78%). In contrast, production decreases were seen in Caesio (-98.04%), Skipjack (-90.58%), Mullet (-82.32%), Round herring (-79.67%), and Bigeye tuna (-78.60%). The top five species in marine municipal fisheries were Roundscad, Blue crab, Anchovies, Indo-Pacific mackerel, and Slipmouth, accounting for 50.74 percent of total municipal fisheries production.

Inland municipal fisheries production increased by 49.60 percent, from 56.41 MT in the fourth quarter of 2023 to 84.39 MT in the fourth quarter of 2024. The largest increase was observed in Carp (6,730.77%), followed by Gourami (433.33%) and Freshwater goby (274.88%). Production decreases were noted for Catfish – kanduli (-95.00%), Climbing perch (-80.00%), and Eel (-70.94%).

Aquaculture production, on the other hand, saw a significant decline of 37.03 percent, dropping from 1,727.64 MT in the fourth quarter of 2023 to 1,087.88 MT in the same period of 2024. Decreases in production were observed for Oyster (-95.52%), Mussel (-92.86%), and Milkfish (-86.96%). However, Seaweeds, Tiger prawn, and P. vannamei recorded increases in production of 196.00%, 85.26%, and 82.94%, respectively. Seaweed production alone accounted for more than half (54.84%) of total aquaculture production in the province during the fourth quarter of 2024.

TECHNICAL NOTES

This Fisheries Situation Report presents the fishing industry in terms of volume of production by sub-sector. The report was prepared to serve as ready reference for PSA’s various clients and stakeholders in the fishing sector.

Concepts and Definitions

Aquaculture - is a fishery operation involving all forms of raising and culturing of fish and other fishery species in fresh, brackish and marine water areas. The operation is comprised of activities from stocking to harvesting of species under controlled conditions in farming facility called aquafarm.

Commercial Fishing - is the catching of fish with the use of fishing boats with a capacity of more than three (3) gross tons for trade, business or profit beyond subsistence or sports fishing.

Inland Municipal Fishing - refers to the catching of fish, crustaceans, mollusks and all other aquatic animals and plants in inland waters like lakes, rivers, dams, marshes, etc. using simple gears and fishing boats some of which are non-motorized with a capacity of less than or equal to three (3) gross tons; or fishing not requiring the use of fishing boats.

Marine Municipal Fishing - is fishing within municipal marine waters using fishing vessels of three (3) gross tons or less, or fishing not requiring the use of fishing vessels.

Volume of Production - is the quantity of fish unloaded in the landing center, caught in inland bodies of water and/or harvested/produced from aquafarms; presented in metric tons.

SGD. SHERYL ANN A. JAMISOLA

Chief Statistical Specialist