Commercial fisheries production contributed 6.1 percent.

In the third quarter of 2024, the MIMAROPA Region recorded a total fisheries production of 96,518.08 metric tons, marking an increase of 1.8 percent from 94,857.01 metric tons in the same quarter last year. Of this total, commercial fisheries contributed 6.1 percent, amounting to 5,873.99 metric tons. This represents a notable decline of 11.9 percent compared to the 6,670.89 metric tons of commercial fisheries production in 2023 (Figure 1) (Tables 1 and 2).

Highest production observed in Palawan

Among the provinces, Palawan had the highest commercial fisheries production in the region, with 3,363.75 metric tons, marking a 55.1 percent increase from the previous year's 2,168.84 metric tons. This accounted for more than half (57.3%) of the region's total commercial fisheries production. Following Palawan, Occidental Mindoro recorded an output of 1,238.01 metric tons, representing a decline of 59.2 percent compared to the previous year's 3,035.64 metric tons, but still holding a 21.1 percent share of the total production. Romblon ranked third, showing a high growth rate of 296.9 percent, with 910.14 metric tons, accounting for 15.5 percent of the total catch. Oriental Mindoro had much smaller production figures, with 261.81 metric tons, and experienced a higher decline in production, decreasing by 78.6 percent from 1,221.73 metric tons (Table 2) (Figures 2 and 3).

Lowest production observed in Marinduque

On the other hand, Marinduque had the lowest production, with only 100.29 metric tons. Despite having the lowest production, it showed the highest growth, increasing by 552.1 percent from the 15.38 metric tons output in the same quarter last year. It contributed just 1.7 percent of the total production (Table 2) (Figures 2 and 3).
 

Top 10 Leading Species in Commercial Fisheries

Among all the species in commercial fisheries, the top 10 leading species with the largest volume of production during this quarter were selected.

Roundscad had the highest production in commercial fisheries, with 1,589.52 metric tons, marking a decrease of 56.6 percent from 3,666.50 metric tons in 2023. Frigate tuna followed closely with 1,133.27 metric tons, showing a 147.3 percent increase from last year’s 458.33 metric tons. In third place was Big-eyed Scad, with 463.09 metric tons, representing an increase of 274.5 percent from 123.66 metric tons in 2023. Snapper produced 450.96 metric tons, reflecting a remarkable growth of 1,999.4 percent from last year's 21.48 metric tons. Skipjack yielded 350.07 metric tons, showing an 11.5 percent decrease. Yellowfin tuna came next with 327.51 metric tons, marking a 479.2 percent increase. Caesio reached 273.55 metric tons, a 36.5 percent decrease from last year. Bali sardinella produced 165.41 metric tons, showing a decline of 20.3 percent. Indian mackerel generated 151.52 metric tons, a 48.4 percent increase. Squid registered 147.92 metric tons, reflecting a 41.7 percent decrease compared to 253.78 metric tons last year.

These species were in the top 10 in production during the quarter, with some showing impressive growth and others experiencing declines.
 

Roundscad was the top species during the third quarter of 2024

Roundscad was the top contributor to the total commercial fisheries production, with a 27.1 percent share. Frigate tuna followed with a 19.3 percent share, while Big-eyed scad accounted for 7.9 percent. Snapper contributed 7.7 percent, and Skipjack made up 6.0 percent. Yellowfin tuna represented 5.6 percent, Caesio had a 4.7 percent share, and Bali sardinella accounted for 2.8 percent. Indian mackerel contributed 2.6 percent, and Squid made up 2.5 percent. Other species collectively shared 14.0 percent of the total commercial fisheries production during this quarter (Table 3) (Figure 5).
 

(SGD) LENI R. RIOFLORIDO
Regional Director

MLLM / OHG / RVDL / CNB