Nonstop Service. With the lifting of closed fishing season in various major fishing grounds, the PFDA-Navotas Fish Port Complex (NFPC) has been working round the clock to accommodate the influx of fish supply for distribution to different markets in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

With the lifting of closed fishing season in various major fishing grounds, the PFDA-Navotas Fish Port Complex (NFPC) has been working round the clock to accommodate the influx of fish supply for distribution to different markets in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

From March 1-9, the PFDA-NFPC already recorded 5262.75 metric ton (MT) of fish unloading composed of marine, aquaculture and frozen fish products.

Of this total, Galunggong recorded the highest unloading with a total 1210.6 MT as of March 9.

Fish supply in PFDA-NFPC are from various origins and fishing grounds such as Balabac Strait, Bataan, Batangas, Eastern Palawan, Masbate, Mindoro, Northern and Southern Palawan, Quezon, Tawi-Tawi Bay, Visayan Sea, Zambales, Zamboanga.

Based on records, the PFDA - NFPC has unloaded a total of 12,404.4 MT, and 15,384.9 MT for January and February, respectively.

PFDA-NFPC supplies around 80% of the fish demand in the National Capital Region. Aside from the NCR, traders in PFDA-NFPC commonly supply fish in other regions such as Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon and Bicol.

PFDA-NFPC supplies around 80% of the fish demand in the National Capital Region.

Aside from the NCR, traders in PFDA-NFPC commonly supply fish in other regions such as Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon and Bicol.

It can be observed that the PFDA-NFPC has recorded an increasing trend since the start of the year particularly in the supply of galunggong which recorded 721.8 MT and 4,136.32 MT, for January and February, respectively.

On our previous report, continuous increase in the fish supply and unloading in NFPC has been attributed to lifting of the three-month closed fishing season for round scad in Northeastern Palawan last February 1. 

Aside from this, 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).

Last March 1, BFAR also officially lifted the 10th closed fishing season for sardines in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

According to the BFAR Report, "by enforcing the closed season, sardines fish stocks are able to replenish and recover, ensuring the abundance of sardines and other fishery resources in the area".

(Miguel M. Pilarta - Public Information Division with reports from Joyce Velasquez - Navotas Fish Port Complex)