by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

Cagayan de Oro City (3 January) -- Some 36,251.30 metric tons of fish production valued at P1.253 billion have been recorded in Northern Mindanao during the second quarter of 2004.

Data at the National Economic Development Authority, Region 10 show that the volume of fish production during the period is higher by 30.32 % compared to the 27,817.50MT valued at P1.006 billion recorded for the same period in 2003.

In terms of volume, aquaculture production recorded the highest increase of 108.96% from 7,205.50MT in 2003 to 15,056.30MT, this year. This is followed by municipal fish, which went up by 4.39% from 7,865MT, last year to 8,210MT in 2004 and commercial fish also up by 1.87% from 12,747MT in 2003 to 12,985MT in 2004.

Regional Director Myra V. Balandra of the National Economic and Development Authority, Region 10, said in terms of value, again aquaculture production recorded the highest increase of 25.06% from P329,795,735 in 2003 to P412,458,000 in 2004.

This is followed by commercial fish, which went up by 24.72% from P394,166,000 in 2003 to P491,612,000 for the same period in 2004 and municipal fish, also up by 23.65% from P281,829,000 in 2003 to P348,482,290 for the same period in 2004.

Meanwhile, in terms of volume of aquaculture, seaweeds production recorded the highest increase of 149.10% from 5,295.20MT in 2003 to 13,190.50MT this year, followed by marine fish cage with 86.67% from 3MT in 2003 to 5.60MT for the same period, this year, and freshwater fishpond by 8.62% from 174MT, last year to 189MT in 2004.

Brackish water fishpond production, however, was on a down trend as it decreased by 3.58% from 1,733.30MT in 2003 to 1,671.20MT for the same period, this year.

Similarly, in terms of value of aquaculture, seaweeds again, recorded the highest increase of 161.27% from P38,697,000 in 2003 to P101,105,000 in 2004.

This is followed by marine fish cage production, which recorded an increase of 130.56% from P180,000 in 2003 to P415,000 in 2004 and freshwater fishpond by 24.35% from P8,715,000 in 2003 to P10,837,000 in 2004.

Although the volume of brackish water fishpond production went down, it still recorded an increase of 6.34% in value from P282,203,735 in 2003 to P300,101,000 for the 2nd quarter, this year.

The increase in fish production, Balandra said, was due to more fishing efforts and more fishing trips brought about by the attractive season for some fish species, the late occurrence of weather disturbances and additional unloading of fish catch by transient fishing vessels, as well as the control of illegal fishing activities in the region.

On the other hand, Regional Director Arlene Pantanosas of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of Region 10, said the increase in volume of fishes from aquaculture production was due to the increase in area of cultured seaweeds made possible though the BFAR partnerships with the local government units.