FISH production in Northern Mindanao continues to drop at 3.06 percent during the second quarter of this year, reaching only 44,039 metric tons following the decrease in commercial fishing and aquaculture.
According to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda)-Northern Mindanao, aquaculture, which accounted for 42 percent of the total fish production drop, has yielded 18,511 metric tons during in the second quarter of 2018, a 6.6 percent decrease from the 19,809 metric tons in the same period of 2017.
Engineer Cecilio Clarete, chief economic development specialist of Neda-Northern Mindanao, said the decline can be attributed to the negative performances of the major commodities led by seaweeds which posted 10.7 percent reduction.
The decrease in seaweed is due to poor output quality and the decrease in area harvested, Neda noted.
Freshwater, marine fishcage and brackishwater fishpond production also went down by 10.49 percent, 5.63 percent and 1.75 percent, respectively.
Neda said the decline in brackishwater fishpond production was attributed to lesser harvest of mud crab due to limited supply of crablets and the occurrence of white spots resulting to early harvests of tiger prawn.
The same trend was also noted in commercial fishery registering 2.5 percent drop in the production volume to only 13,392 metric tons.
Clarete said the drop in production was caused by lesser number of fishing trips in Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental due to unfavorable weather (strong winds and rough seas) brought about by northeast monsoon and low pressure area.
Some operators rationalized their fishing trips because of high cost of fuel and other fishing paraphernalia, he added.
Likewise, there were five fishing boats, four in Camiguin and one in Misamis Occidental, on dry dock for repair and maintenance.
Municipal fishing, meanwhile, grew by 2.1 percent, from 11,888 metric tons during the second quarter of 2017 to 12,135 metric tons in the same quarter this year.
It was reported that more operators have engaged in inland fishing for subsistence and for commercial purposes, partially in Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte.
More fishing activities were also observed in Misamis Oriental due to less occurrence of flooding in rivers and streams, which also contributed to the sector's good performance.