Region’s fish production declined the past 2 years

CEBU, Philippines - Data from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics showed fish yield in Central Visayas has decreased in the last two years, with Cebu province suffering the most.

As learned, the total volume of fisheries production 226,655 metric tons in 2013, but it declined to just 193,892 metric tons in 2014, or a decrease of 14.46 percent.

Fisheries production consists of commercial fishery, marine municipal fishery, and aquaculture (or the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans), among others.

The BAS data also showed that comparing the provinces individually, Cebu had the highest percentage of decrease of fisheries production with 19 percent, followed by Bohol (13 percent), Negros Oriental (six percent), Siquijor (3.17 percent).

Specifically, fish production in Cebu was 76,563 metric tons in 2013, but it plunged to just 61,946 percent last year; Bohol, 132, 027 metric tons in 2013 to 114, 863 metric tons in 2014.

For Negros Oriental, it was 14, 339 metric tons in 2013 that went down to 13, 477 metric tons in 2014; while Siquijor had 3, 723 metric tons in 2013 compared to 3, 605 metric tons last year.

BFAR-7 Director Andres Bojos said the series of typhoons which hit the region in 2014, particularly in Cebu and Bohol, were the major cause in the decline of fisheries production in Central Visayas.

He said fisher folks and fishing companies were also still recovering last year from the October 15, 2013 earthquake and the November 8, 2013 super typhoon.

“Cebu ang pinakadako og slippage kay ang Cebu man ang naigo og maayo sa Yolanda nga nahitabo sa end sa 2013, labi na ang northern Cebu, ug ang Bohol pud nga naigo sa earthquake” Bojos said.

“Last 2014, duna pud mga panghitabo parehas atong Ruby, Quennie ug Seniang,” he added, particularly citing flooding in southern Cebu caused by the typhoons.

Dumanjug, Cebu Mayor Nelson Garcia recently got criticized for suggesting that the population of whales, sharks, and dolphins, which he called “parasites,” at the Tañon Strait should be controlled because they compete with humans for food.

Despite the criticisms, he maintained that experts and conservationists should also consider regulating the population of huge marine animals that prey on fishes, rather than focusing on their protection.

He said these animals consume more than a ton of fish a day, which he believed is the reason for the decline in fish yields. – May B. Miasco/RHM (FREEMAN)