Fisheries production in the province decline in the first quarter of 2025 

Fisheries production in Guimaras recorded a 25.08 percent decline in the first quarter of 2025. The province’s total fish production declined to 1,491.39 metric tons from 1,990.59 metric tons in the same quarter last year.

Among the sub-sectors, municipal fisheries made the largest contribution to the total volume of fisheries production in Guimaras during the 1st quarter of 2025, accounting for 56.30 percent or approximately 839.07 metric tons. Aquaculture followed, contributing 43.70 percent or around 652.32 metric tons.

Within the municipal fisheries sector, marine municipal fisheries dominated, representing 55.50 percent of the total municipal output, while inland municipal fisheries had a minimal share of only 0.8 percent, translating to about 11.91 metric tons. See Figure 2.

In the first quarter of 2025, the total fish production in Guimaras dropped significantly by 25.08 percent, from 1,990.59 metric tons in the same period of 2024 to 1,491.39 metric tons.

Municipal fisheries remained the largest contributor to the province’s fishery output, recording 839.07 metric tons. However, this represented a 17.00 percent decrease compared to the 1,010.87 metric tons produced in the previous year. Within the municipal fisheries sub-sector, marine municipal fisheries declined by 17.63 percent, from 1,004.10 metric tons to 827.09 metric tons.

On the other hand, inland municipal fisheries showed a remarkable increase of 77.22 percent, rising from 6.76 to 11.98 metric tons, although it still constituted a minor portion of the total production.

Aquaculture, the second-largest sub-sector, experienced the steepest decline among all categories. Its production dropped by 33.42 percent, from 979.73 metric tons in 2024 to 652.32 metric tons in 2025.

TECHNICAL NOTES

Fisheries – all activities relating to the act or business of fishing, culturing, preserving, processing, marketing, developing, conserving and managing aquatic resources and the fishery areas including the privilege to fish or take aquatic resources thereof R.A. 8550.

Municipal Fisheries – covers fishing operations in marine waters within 15 kilometers from the shoreline by fishing boats with three (3) gross tons or less. The Quarterly Municipal Fisheries Survey (QMFS) serves as the activity that gathers information on volume and price of species unloaded in the municipal landing center.

Marine fisheries - refer to the industry devoted to the catching, processing, or selling of fish, shellfish, or other aquatic animals. Fish are caught in seawater or saltwater using synthetic fiber nets, mechanized fishing, etc. Marine fisheries have grown in size and sophistication in the last 50 years, and fish are caught in nets or on lines, sorted on board a fishing vessel, and then brought back to shore. Popular marine fish varieties include Frigate tuna, Roundscad, Skipjack, Spanish mackerel, Yellowfin tuna, and others.

Inland Fisheries – covers fishing operations performed in inland bodies of water using fishing vessels of three (3) gross tons or less, or fishing not requiring the use of fishing vessels. The Quarterly Inland Fisheries Survey (QIFS) serves as the activity that gathers information on volume and price of species caught by inland fishing households.

Aquaculture – involves propagation and culturing of fish and other fishery species in farming facility such as fishpond, fish pen and fish cage. It also includes oyster, mussel and seaweed culture. The Quarterly Aquaculture Survey (QAqS) serves as the activity that gathers information on volume and price of species harvested in the aquafarms.