The rise in aquaculture production is thought to be due to the good performance of seaweed aquaculture and aquaculture in brackish water, said Engr. Cecilio Clarete, chief economic development specialist of the Development Research Division of the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) in the region.
Seaweed production was recorded at 12,456.58 MT, 4.82 per cent higher than last year, reports SunStar.
Brackish water also registered a 3.03 per cent growth, posting 4,651.79 MT during the second quarter this year.
Mr Clarete noted that a decrease in fish production was registered during the period from marine cages. This is due to the lack of fingerlings and the halting of operations from two companies.
A drop in freshwater aquaculture production was also seen due to the conversion of fish farms into rice farms in Bukidnon and lack of fingerlings in Lanao del Norte.
Aquaculture production accounted for 41 per cent of the total fish production in the region.
The remaining 59 per cent was shared by commercial and municipal fishery.
Mr Clarete said the four per cent increase in the aquaculture production coupled with the decline in commercial and municipal fishery resulted in a modest 1.1 per cent increase in the overall fish production of the region during the second quarter.
He said commercial fishing posted a 0.53 per cent negative growth as lesser fishing trips were undertaken in Lanao del Norte due to intense heat and weather disturbances.
