Published: 01 June 2021

PFDA WEEKLY BRIEFER FOR THE MAY 24 TO 30, 2021 PERIOD

Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) Regional Fish Ports (RFP) finished off another week with 11,494.38 metric tons (MT) of unloaded fish supply, a 4% slide compared from last week’s unloading, during the May 24 to 30, 2021 period.

Based on a two-week comparative report collected by the Operations Services Department (OSD), PFDA RFPs have suffered a slight blow before the month ends. This decline can be related to last week’s Super Flow Blood Moon affecting fishing activities.

According to studies, this natural decline in fish supply may be attributed to said astronomical event causing various fish species to swim deeper to hide from too much light emitted by the moon. 

Aside from that, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported a lingering intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) last week that can also be a factor in this week’s unloading decline.   

Despite the minor contraction in this week’s catch, PFDA – General Santos Fish Port Complex (PFDA-GSFPC) has registered a 4.35% increase (5,227.01 MT) compared to last week’s record.

On the other hand, PFDA – Navotas Fish Port Complex (PFDA-NFPC) may have experienced a 7.80%, but the port still managed to unload 3,688.78 MT of fish for its clients and stakeholders.

In addition, PFDA – Bulan Fish Port Complex (PFDA-BFPC) is only 0.73% shy to regain increasing trend but still recorded a significant volume of 1,662.28 MT. 

So far, PFDA RFPs have unloaded a total of 681,245.16 MT of fish since the implementation of the community quarantine in March 2020.

(Report by Mark Angelo N. Perez and infographic by Paul Vincent Del Rosario - Public Information Division)