In a report to Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said the effect of the drought in Luzon would likely be limited to tilapia production.
BFAR director Malcolm Sarmiento projected the potential loss to reach 45,743 metric tons of freshwater tilapia, representing less than one percent of the total production target for 2007.
Actual production of the aquaculture, commercial and municipal fisheries sectors reached 1.167 million metric tons in the first quarter and 1.495 million metric tons in the second quarter.
Total production for the third quarter is expected to hit 1.494 million metric tons, while the last quarter production is seen at 998,544 metric tons.
Fisheries sector growth on track despite drought
PHILIPPINES - The Department of Agriculture expects the fisheries sector to meet its production target this year despite the adverse effects of a prolonged dry spell.