Tuna output rose in Q1

First-quarter output of skipjack tuna held ground in the first quarter, showing the only gain in volume amid an overall downturn for the fisheries sector.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) show that 57,700 tons of skipjack were harvested in the first three months of 2014, up 4.3 percent year-on-year.

All the other six major fisheries products—including yellowfin tuna, roundscad, seaweeds, milkfish, tilapia and tiger prawn—failed to exceed volumes recorded in the first quarter of 2013.

From January to March, production of skipjack or gulyasan increased because of greater supply in fishing grounds, the PSA said.

The agency added that commercial fisheries accounted for some four-fifths of the total skipjack production, maintaining its growth at 7.4 percent.