Fisheries production in Western Visayas drops 27.4% in Q3 2025

Western Visayas region recorded a significant decline in fisheries output during the third quarter of 2025, with total production falling by 27.4 percent compared to the same period last year, according to preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) released on Dec. 5.

Total fisheries production reached 72,017 metric tons (mt) in Q3 2025, down from 99,247 mt in Q3 2024.

The aquaculture subsector, which accounted for the majority share at 64.4 percent, posted the steepest decline. Its output dropped by 33.9 percent — from 72,289 mt in Q3 2024 to 47,786 mt this year.

Municipal fisheries, which include marine and inland fishing using vessels of 3 gross tons or less or without boats, declined by 30.0 percent. Production slid to 13,928 mt in Q3 2025 from 19,904 mt in the same quarter last year. Marine municipal fisheries made up 97.7 percent of this total, while inland sources comprised only 2.3 percent.

Commercial fisheries, which involve vessels over 3 gross tons, also experienced a downturn. Production dropped by 36.6 percent to 10,303 mt from 16,241 mt a year earlier.

Among provinces in Western Visayas, Antique led aquaculture production in Q3 2025 with 19,265 mt, though still sharply lower than its 2024 output of 38,524 mt. Capiz followed with 25,739 mt, down from 30,827 mt. Aklan recorded 1,181 mt, Iloilo 1,715 mt, and Guimaras 499 mt.

In municipal fisheries, Antique was the top producer with 5,015 mt, up from 4,719 mt last year. Aklan followed with 1,527 mt, Iloilo with 2,434 mt, Capiz with 1,834 mt, and Guimaras with 818 mt.

Capiz led commercial fisheries with 3,586 mt in Q3 2025, a drop from 4,273 mt in 2024. Aklan contributed 1,563 mt, Iloilo 2,005 mt, and Antique 3,149 mt.

The top five most-produced fishery commodities in the region for Q3 2025 were:

1. Milkfish– 22,707 mt
2. Seaweed– 19,340 mt
3. Oyster– 4,790 mt
4. Squid– 1,710 mt
5. Roundscad– 1,586 mt.

The PSA report emphasized that these figures exclude Negros Occidental following the enactment of Republic Act No. 12000, also known as the “Negros Island Act,” which reorganized the region’s composition.

The PSA continues to monitor fisheries performance across the country, noting that aquaculture remains a vital component of regional food security and economic livelihood despite the ongoing challenges from environmental, economic, and climate-related pressures.

For further inquiries, the PSA Western Visayas may be contacted at rsso06@psa.gov.ph or through (033) 335-0907.