Rainstorms slashed local fish catch in January

Heavy rains and thunderstorms shaved off regional fish ports’ catch in January this year, the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) said.

Fish unloading volume hit 37,900.16 metric tons (MT) last month, a decrease of 16.4 percent from 45,355.24 MT in December 2022.

This was also a drop of 1.3 percent from the 38,411.45 MT recorded in January last year.

“Based on reports, the combined effects of a low-pressure area (LPA) and the northeast monsoon (Amihan) have significantly affected the operations of all PFDA ports throughout the country,” it added.

The Navotas Fish Port Complex delivered 18,184.59 MT of fish in January, an increase of 17.37 percent. These comprised nearly 48 percent of total volume.

The General Santos Fish Port Complex reported lower fish shipment, which was down 41.7 percent to 14,897.04 MT “due to inclement weather conditions.”

The Davao Fish Port Complex logged the largest increment of 262.58 percent after delivering 1,687.91 MT of fish as it resumed fish transshipment operations.

The Lucena Fish Port Complex managed to ship 1,687.91 MT, up by 11.75 percent.

The Bulan Fish Port Complex and the Zamboanga Fish Port Complex transported 31.29 MT and 558.705 MT, respectively, amid the January rains.

Meanwhile, the Iloilo Fish Port Complex distributed 1,255.59 MT of fish despite moderate to heavy rains in the region.

As of the fourth quarter of 2022, regional fish ports supplied customers with 109,665.42 MT, a decrease of 17.3 percent versus the same period the previous year. INQ