The country’s fisheries production slightly declined last year due to lower output in most sub-sectors. Based on the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, production reached 4.31 million metric tons (MT), one percent lower than the 4.36 million MT recorded in 2016. Commercial fisheries saw a seven percent decline in production to 947,000 MT due to less unloading of species brought about by frequent rainfall and numerous weather disturbances that prevailed in the country from May to September, as well as the limited fishing operations in the Zamboanga Peninsula due to the existing inventory of canned sardines.

Simeon, L. M. (2018, February 16). Fisheries output slightly down in 2017. The Philippine Star, p. B4.