Fish catch in West Philippine Sea declines due to sea row, El Nino: PSA

Geopolitical tensions, fuel prices and El Nino among factors - BFAR

Local fishermen from Masinloc, Zambales prepare their equipment for a five-day fishing trip in the evening of June 17, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Fishery production in the West Philippine Sea has seen a decline on the first part of the year, official government data showed.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed the country’s fish catch in the West Philippine Sea declined from more than 108,000 metric tons in the first half of 2023 to a little more than 101,000 metric tons this year.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) acknowledged the smaller number, saying a confluence of factors affected the decline.

"There is data showing na nag decline sa first quarter 'yung production natin sa West Philippine Sea, pero 'yung reasons naman nito ay hindi lang nakatuon sa geopolitical situation," said Nazer Briguera, spokesperson of BFAR.

"Meron ding ibang rason tulad ng pagtaas ng fuel, pati na itong El Nino na dumaan, na nakaapekto sa mga isda," Briguera added.

(There are other factors like higher fuel costs, even the El Nino phenomenon, which affected fisheries.)

"Hindi lang naman marine ang source, we don’t intend to ignore this," Briguera added.

(We have other sources other than marine production, and we don't intend to ignore this.)

Over the years, production from aquaculture has complimented the fish catch from the open seas.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. earlier pointed out that fish supplies in the country are nearly depleted, and fishermen around the country have confirmed this as fact.

Several fishermen from Navotas said they have observed a significant drop in their catch in recent years.

Likewise, fishermen from Pag-asa Island said they are having difficulties in fishing since Chinese vessels drive them away from rich fishing grounds.

BFAR said the agency launched several efforts to solve the woes of fishermen.

"Itong pagdagragdag ng floating asset bahagi ng direkyon ng BFAR at far as improving monitoring, control, and surveillance, " Briguera said.

(We have added floating assets as part of our direction in improving monitoring, control, and surveillance.)

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