Increased Fish Deliveries at Philippine Regional Ports in December 2023

December 2023 saw a notable increase in fish deliveries at regional ports across the Philippines, with a total of 47,952.79 metric tons of fish unloaded. This figure represents a significant rise from the 45,355.24 metric tons recorded in December 2022, according to the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA).

The General Santos Fish Port Complex continued its upward trend by unloading 25,005.442 metric tons of fish, marking a 2.58% increase. Similarly, the Bulan Fish Port Complex experienced a 2.59% rise, unloading 1,174.00 metric tons of fish. A notable jump was seen in the Davao Fish Port Complex, which reported a 175.92% increase in fish unloading, totaling 1,215.12 metric tons.

However, the Navotas Fish Port Complex (PFDA-NFPC) experienced a slight decline in its fish unloading volumes due to the implementation of closed fishing seasons in the Visayan Sea and Northern Palawan. Despite this, the Navotas port managed to deliver 16,506.60 metric tons of fish.

The Iloilo Fish Port Complex and Lucena Fish Port Complex rebounded from month-on-month declines, unloading 1,724.49 metric tons (up 4.34%) and 1,521.27 metric tons (up 4.32%), respectively.

Closed fishing seasons also affected fish unloading at the Zamboanga Fish Port Complex and the Sual Fish Port, yet they managed to unload 772.975 metric tons and 32.9 metric tons of fish, respectively, in December 2023.

These figures highlight the dynamic nature of the fishing industry in the Philippines and the varying impacts of environmental and regulatory factors on fish supply.