Guimaras’ fish yield down 3.49 percent in Q4 2021

Guimaras’ fish production dropped by 3.49 percent in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2021, due to a –11.42 percent decrease in aquaculture output, based on the quarterly fishery survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The 1,716.76 metric ton (MT) fish production in Q4 2021 was short by 62.13 MT against 1,778.89-MT output in Q4 2020.

The Q4 2021 figure is the lowest output for three comparable quarters. 

Provincial Statistics Officer Nelida B. Losare said municipal fishing accounted for 54.88 percent of the province’s fish yield while aquaculture contributed 45.12 percent.  

Losare said the 11.42 percent decline in aquaculture in Q4 2021 also pulled down the province’s total production.

Losare added that aquaculture production increased by 12.04 percent in Q4 2020, or 93.96 MT tons more compared to previous year’s output of 780.51 MT.

But production in Q4 2021 was short by 99.88 MT against the Q4 2020 yield, which is the lowest output among the three comparable quarters, and even lower than the Q4 2019 level.

Milkfish cultured in brackish water fishpond, fish cages, and fish pens accounted for 90.52 percent of the total aquaculture yield, contributing 701.18 MT to the provincial total.

Seaweeds pitched in 7.22 percent (55.91 MT).

Tilapia produced from brackish and freshwater environments shared 1.35 percent (10.42 MT) of the aquaculture production.

Other species such as vannamei, oyster, white shrimp, endeavor prawn, mud crab, spiny lobster, catfish, snapper and sea bass chipped in 0.91 percent (7.05 MT).

Municipal fish production in Q4 2021 improved by 4.17 percent (37.75 MT) compared to Q4 2020 output. Around 98.88 percent came from marine fisheries, and the remaining 1.12 percent were from inland fisheries sub-sector.

The top five marine species found in Guimaras with significant contributions to the total outputs of marine species were: Anchovies or Dilis (10.76%), Cavalla or Talakitok (10.54%), Blue crab or Alimasag (9.40%), Slipmouth of Sapsap (8.10%) and Goatfish or Saramulyete (5.44%).