Guimaras’ inland municipal fisheries volume of production soar by 49.78%

Inland fisheries volume of production in Guimaras recorded 26.99 metric tons in the fourth quarter of 2024, or 49.78 percent higher than the 18.02 metric tons recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023.

White shrimp records highest volume of production in Q4 2024 2024

The top five species caught in the inland municipal waters in the fourth quarter of 2024 were white shrimp, spade fish, tilapia, mullet, and tarpon.

White shrimp (hipong puti) has the highest volume of production at 4.27 metric tons, contributing 22.07 percent of the total inland production. Its output increased by 149.71 percent from the 1.71 metric tons output in the fourth quarter of 2023. Spade fish production in the province reached 3.24 metric tons making up 16.74 percent of the total inland municipal fisheries production. This was an increase from the 0.66 metric tons in the same quarter of 2023.

Production of tilapia was estimated at 3.20 metric tons, reflecting a 39.13 percent increase in the fourth quarter 2024. Mullet production increased by 215.39 percent from the 0.91 metric tons output in fourth quarter 2023. Meanwhile, tarpon recorded 2.05 metric tons, which was 52.99 percent higher than the production in the same period of 2023.

Inland municipal fisheries production value up by 39.09 percent

Inland fisheries value of production in Guimaras accounted an estimated 357 thousand pesos in the fourth quarter of 2024, or 39.09 percent higher than the estimated 257 thousand recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023.

The top five species caught in the inland municipal waters in the fourth quarter of 2024 in terms of production value were white shrimp, mullet, spade fish, tilapia, and tarpon.

White shrimp (hipong puti) has the highest value of production at an estimated 85.48 thousand pesos, contributing 23.91 percent of the total inland production. Its output increased at 108.73 percent from the estimated 40.95 thousand pesos output in the fourth quarter of 2023. Mullet production in the province reached an estimated 45.93 thousand pesos making up 12.85 percent of the total inland municipal fisheries production value. This was an increase from the 16 thousand in the same quarter of 2023.

Production of spade fish was estimated at 45.82 thousand pesos, reflecting a 285.85 percent increase in the fourth quarter 2024. Tilapia production increased by 0.28 percent from the 25.54 thousand pesos output in fourth quarter 2023. Meanwhile, tarpon recorded an estimated 12.29 thousand pesos, which was 14.96 percent higher than the production in the same period of 2023.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

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 (RA 8550).

Fisheries Sector - the sector engaged in the production, growing. harvesting, processing, marketing, developing, conserving and managing aquatic resources and fishing areas.

Fishing Grounds - areas in any body of water where fish and other aquatic resources congregate and become the target of capture.

Inland Municipal Fishing - the catching of fish, crustaceans, mollusks and all other aquatic animals and plants in inland water like lakes, rivers, dams, marshes, etc. using simple gears and fishing boats some of which are non-motorized with a capacity of three gross tons or less; or fishing not requiring the use of fishing boats.

Landing Center - a place where the fish catch, and other aquatic products are unloaded and traded.

Municipal Fishing - covers fishing operation carried out with or without the use of a boat weighing three gross tons or less