From 12.9 metric tons (MT) in 2012, commercial fisheries production last year decreased to 11.9 MT, Severina S. Bueno, Chief of the Fisheries Production Division said.
Aside from high cost in fuel consumption, Bueno cited typhoons Labuyo, Odette, Santi, Vinta and inclement weather as factors preventing commercial fisherfolk to go on fishing trips resulting to lower production.
On the other hand, Ms Bueno said that fish production from aquaculture fish farming has increased.
The increase, according to her, was greatly attributed to the establishment of more fishcages and continuous stocking of fingerlings in communal bodies of water, Small Water Impounding Projects (SWIP) and small farm reservoirs.
“In general, Cagayan Valley fish production last year has increased from 60 MT in 2012 to 61.9 MT in 2013 but higher production should have been achieved if only typhoons did not hit the region during the third quarter last year,” Ms Bueno said.
She also recognised the production of the Magat Aquapark project where 23 modules of fishcages can produce up to 27.7 MT in every four months culture period. The project she said has contributed to the fish production in the region.
