Total Fisheries Volume of production decreased by 2.07 percent in the province
Total fisheries production in the province of Davao Occidental declined to 2,592.02 metric tons in first quarter of 2025. This is 2.07 percent lower compared to the same quarter of 2024, which is 2,646.90 metric tons (Table 1).

Commercial fishing production increased by 17 percent among the other subsectors, from 50.28 metric tons in first quarter of 2024 to 58.87 metric tons in first quarter of 2025. However, inland Municipal fishing production recorded the lowest production among the sub-sectors with 0.15 metric tons to 0.02 metric tons as of first quarter 2025 (Table 1).

Marine municipal fishing biggest contributor to total production
In terms of the distribution by sub-sector in first quarter 2025, the marine municipal has the biggest contribution to the total volume of production with 2,109.74 metric tons followed by aquaculture with 423.39 metric tons, commercial with 58.87 metric tons and the last is inland municipal with 0.02 metric tons (Figure 1).

In the first quarter of 2024, the majority of fish production came from the marine municipal sector, contributing 2,137.15 metric tons. This was followed by aquaculture production with 459.32 metric tons, commercial production with 50.28 metric tons, and inland municipal production with just 0.15 metric tons (Figure 2).

Squid top specie in terms of volume of production in first quarter of 2025
Squid ranks as the top species in terms of volume of production, reaching 885.98 metric tons though this reflects a 16.6% decline compared to the first quarter of 2024. Big-eyed Scad ranks second with 448.28 metric tons, showing a significant 225% increase compared to the first quarter of 2024. Milkfish comes in third with 421.64 metric tons but experienced a 7.4% decline in production compared to the first quarter of 2024. Frigate tuna ranks fourth, with increased presence during the quarter had a volume of production of 293.04 metric tons, a substantial 200% rise compared to the first quarter of 2024. Lastly, Skipjack ranks fifth with 125.52 metric tons showing a slightly decline compared to last year with same quarter (Figure 3).

Technical Notes

Aquaculture - is a fishery operation involving all forms of raising and culturing of fish and other fishery species in fresh, brackish and marine water areas. (RA No. 8550)

Aquaculture production - refers to the quantity produced and actually harvested from the aquafarm during the reference period. Species harvested should be in marketable/matured size and in fresh form such as mussel and oyster in shell. It includes those harvested but damaged, stolen, given away, consumed, given as harvester’s share, reserved, etc. However, the species harvested that are utilized as input to another operation like milkfish harvested in juvenile size, seaweed planting materials, etc. are not included in the estimates of volume of produced from the survey.

Municipal Fishing - covers fishing operation carried out with or without the use of a boat weighing three gross tons or less.

Volume of Production - refers to the quantity of catch unloaded, presented in metric tons, including those intended for home consumption, given away, paid to crew, and/or rejected due to poor quality of the species.

Commercial Fisheries - covers fishing operations in marine water that make use of boats of more than three gross tons.

Inland Fisheries - is the catching of fish, crustaceans, mollusks and other aquatic animals and plants in inland water like lakes, rivers, dams marshes, etc. using simple gears and fishing boats, some of which are non-motorized with a capacity of three gross tons or less; or fishing not requiring the use of fishing boats.

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JESSIE A. MADULIN
Chief Statistical Specialist