Philippine fisheries production increased by 2.0 percent in the second quarter of 2026, driven by higher output in municipal and commercial fisheries, the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) said Friday.

Citing the latest Fisheries Situation Report of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), DA-BFAR said national fisheries production reached an estimated 1.03 million metric tons from April to June 2026, up from 1.01 million metric tons in the same period in 2025.

The total value of fisheries production also climbed 11.4 percent to an estimated PHP91.63 billion during the quarter.

Higher output was recorded across marine municipal fisheries, inland municipal fisheries and commercial fisheries, offsetting a decline in aquaculture production.

“The increase in fisheries production both in volume and value in the second quarter of 2026 indicates the continuing contribution of our municipal and commercial fisheries to the country’s food security and the livelihoods of our fisherfolk. DA-BFAR will continue working closely with local government units, fishing communities, and industry stakeholders to sustain productivity, address production challenges, and strengthen the long-term resilience of the fisheries sector,” BFAR National Director Elizer Salilig said.

The PSA report for April to June 2026 showed that marine municipal fisheries posted the strongest growth, expanding by 18.8 percent to 247.35 thousand metric tons from 208.14 thousand metric tons in the second quarter of 2025.

The subsector accounted for 24.1 percent of the total fisheries output.

Inland municipal fisheries production rose 4.8 percent to 45.58 thousand metric tons from 43.49 thousand metric tons year-on-year, contributing 4.4 percent to the total production.

Commercial fisheries production reached 272.87 thousand metric tons, a 0.7 percent increase from 270.92 thousand metric tons in the same period last year.

The subsector comprised 26.6 percent of the total output.

In contrast, aquaculture production dropped 4.8 percent to 460.93 thousand metric tons from 483.92 thousand metric tons in the second quarter of 2025. Despite the contraction, aquaculture remained the largest contributor to national production, accounting for 44.9 percent of the total output.

Among major species, notable production gains were recorded for roundscad (galunggong) at 38.0 percent, tilapia at 13.1 percent, and squid (pusit) at 42.2 percent.

Conversely, output declines were noted for oyster (-85.8 percent), seaweed (-3.3 percent), skipjack or gulyasan (-14.0 percent), milkfish or bangus (-7.1 percent), and big-eyed scad or matangbaka (-11.5 percent). (PNA)