Sulong Galunggong. Amid the growing demand for fishery commodities as consumers look for alternative sources due to continuous increase in prices of common protein sources and agricultural items like pork and chicken, the PFDA - Navotas Fish Port Complex recorded a high unloading data for round scad/galunggong (Decapterus spp.), February 17.

Amid the growing demand for fishery commodities as consumers look for alternative sources due to continuous increase in prices of common protein sources and agricultural items like pork and chicken, the PFDA - Navotas Fish Port Complex recorded high unloading data for round scad/galunggong (Decapterus spp.), February 17.

The PFDA - NFPC reported 449.12 MT total marine fish unloading last February 17. Of this total, 371.44 MT is attributed to galunggong unloading, a 352.98% increase from the previous week’s recorded volume of 82 MT last February 10. 

Aside from galunggong, the top fish species being unloaded in PFDA-NFPC include bangus, tilapia, tulingan, and tamban.

The positive trend in galunggong volume in the previous days can be attributed to the lifting of the three-month closed fishing season for round scad in Northeastern Palawan last February 1.

Palawan serves as a major fishing ground and the top source of round scad supplying around 70% of galunggong in the market.

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) reported that there is a notable increase in the maturity size of galunggong and percentage of spawners during the closure period.

NFPC as PH's Premier Fish Port. The PFDA-NFPC records an average of 464.54 metric tons daily fish unloading, providing almost 80% of the total fish requirements of Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Based on the PFDA 2020 fish unloading data, the PFDA-NFPC records an average of 464.54 metric tons daily fish unloading, providing almost 80% of the total fish requirements of Metro Manila and nearby provinces. 

Considered as one of the country's economically-important fish species, galunggong is one of the major target species in the Philippine fisheries sector. 

Since the imposition of community quarantine due to COVID-19 in March 2020, the PFDA-NFPC and all the Regional Fish Ports ensure unhampered supply of fish and fishery products, including galunggong.

Aside from the lifting of the closed fish season in Northeastern Palawan, BFAR also announced the lifting of the three-month closed fishing season in the Visayan Sea in the midnight of February 16, which serves as major fishing grounds for sardines and herrings (Clupeidae), as well as mackerels (Scombridae).

(Miguel M. Pilarta - Public Information Division, with reports and photo contributions from PFDA-NFPC)