This came about as both commercial and municipal fishing posted decreases in production of seven and three per cent, respectively, said NEDA-10 Chief Economic Development Specialist Engr. Cecilio Y. Clarete.
He said total production for commercial fishery, which accounts for 23.9 per cent of the regions total fishery production, was recorded at 8,426.8 metric tons in 2012, lower by 612.9 metric tons compared to the 2011 production of 9,039.7 metric tons.
Municipal fishery production which accounts for 27.4 per cent of the total fishery production also went down by 306.9 metric tons, from 9,984.18 metric tons in 2011 to 9,677.27 metric tons this year.
Mr Clarete said lesser fishing trips experienced in the region due to rough seas, strong winds and big waves, as well as depletion of stock, have contributed to the negative outputs.
The decline in demand for marine products due to fish scare in the first two months after the onslaught of tropical storm Sendong aggravated the poor performance of the commercial and municipal fisheries, he added.
Conversely, aquaculture production which accounts for 48.6 per cent of the total fishery production slightly increased by four per cent, from 16,534.50 metric tons in 2011 to 17,178.39 metric tons in 2012.
According to Mr Clarete, seaweed production, which grew by two percent to 10,509.43 metric tons, has been the top contributor to aquaculture production.
He said proper cleaning of seaweed farms, usage of vanguard variety, and increased length of some lines contributed to the increase.
Region 10 Fisheries Production Down by One Per Cent in Q1
PHILIPPINES - Fish production in Northern Mindanao dipped slightly by one percent in the first quarter of 2012, compared to the 35,558.38 metric tons registered during the same period last year, the regional National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) said.
by Lucy Towers
