Western Visayas fisheries output falls 21.6% on aquaculture slump

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

Western Visayas’ total fisheries production fell 21.6% in the first quarter of 2026 to 49,982 metric tons, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported, as a steep aquaculture decline outweighed gains in commercial and municipal fishing.

The drop amounted to about 13,745 metric tons less than the 63,727 metric tons recorded in the same quarter of 2025.

The preliminary figures come from a special release dated May 26, 2026, issued by the PSA Regional Statistical Services Office VI and signed by Regional Director Nelida C. Amolar.

Aquaculture drove the decline, contracting 52.9%. Commercial fisheries grew 16.5%, and municipal fisheries rose 20.7%.

Commercial fisheries accounted for the largest share of total output at 34.5%, followed by aquaculture at 33.7% and municipal fisheries — covering marine and inland — at 31.8%.

Regional aquaculture output fell to 16,856 metric tons from 35,765 metric tons a year earlier, with all five provinces posting declines.

Antique, which held the largest share at 67.5%, shrank 50.1%. Capiz, at 20.2%, contracted 57.9%. Iloilo, at 6.6%, dropped 67.8%. Aklan, at 3.5%, declined 25.9%. Guimaras, at 2.3%, fell 41.2%.

Marine municipal fisheries production climbed 22.0% to 15,632 metric tons, about 2,818 metric tons more than a year earlier.

Iloilo led the gains with a 94.7% increase and a 38.8% share. Aklan rose 68.3% with a 23.1% share, and Guimaras grew 3.6% with a 5.5% share. Antique, at 23.3%, fell 18.8%, while Capiz, at 9.3%, contracted 34.8%.

Inland municipal fisheries production fell 28.1% to 241 metric tons, about 94 metric tons less than the 336 metric tons logged in the first quarter of 2025.

Capiz, with a 44.8% share, declined 32.4%. Aklan, at 27.3%, shrank 46.9%, and Antique, at 2.9%, fell 56.4%. Iloilo, at 15.7%, grew 61.2%, and Guimaras, at 9.3%, expanded 86.6%.

Commercial fisheries production rose 16.5% to 17,253 metric tons, about 2,440 metric tons more than a year earlier.

Iloilo, with a 42.7% share, increased 10.2%. Capiz, at 29.8%, rose 20.8%. Antique, at 17.5%, grew 13.1%, and Aklan, at 9.9%, climbed 43.7%. Guimaras is the only province in the region without a commercial fisheries landing center.

The total value of fisheries production reached PHP 5.31 billion in the first quarter of 2026, down 0.5% or about PHP 24.74 million from PHP 5.34 billion a year earlier.

Aquaculture’s value contracted 56.8% and made up 12.0% of the total. Commercial fisheries value expanded 26.6% for a 47.4% share, and municipal fisheries value rose 15.3% for a 40.6% share.

Within municipal fisheries, marine value increased 16.3% while inland value fell 29.5%.

Seaweed was the top species by volume at 11,438 metric tons, though production fell 50.0% and its farmgate price slipped 12.5% to PHP 3.37 per kilogram.

Milkfish followed at 3,586 metric tons, down 54.0%, with its price up 11.3% to PHP 136.17 per kilogram.

Acetes reached 3,239 metric tons, a 3,070.3% surge, as its price dropped 18.2% to PHP 43.65 per kilogram.

Roundscad totaled 2,594 metric tons, up 3.3%, with its price down 6.2% to PHP 129.20 per kilogram.

Squid rounded out the top five at 1,963 metric tons, up 18.2%, as its price eased 4.9% to PHP 178.85 per kilogram.