July 13, 2007

Philippine fishery may post higher production this year

The Philippine fishery sector is anticipated to post considerable gains this year by 5 million tonnes from 4.4 million tonnes a year ago, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

BFAR Director Malcolm I. Sarmiento Jr., said the fishery sector accounted for 24.92 percent or P163.4 billion of the country's agricultural production last year based on figures presented by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics.

BFAR earlier projected a growth of 5 to 10 percent this year. The sector was the major gainer from January to March this year from the 8.52 percent increase in production. It also accounted 23.68 percent of the total agricultural output in the first quarter of 2007.