May 22, 2026

 

Fisheries production in Cebu, Philippines, hit more than 36,500 metric tonnes last year

 

 

The total fisheries production of Cebu, the Philippines, reached more than 36,500 metric tonnes in 2025, an 8.33% increase from the 33,774.15 metric tonnes recorded in 2024, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in a preliminary report released on its website on April 27.

 

The PSA said the rise was driven by gains in commercial and marine municipal fishing which staged a recovery in 2025, overcoming previous declines to serve as the primary driver of the local fishing industry.

 

Production in municipal fisheries rose to 18,533.77 metric tonnes during the year, representing a 21.10 % increase compared to the 15,304.15 metric tonnes produced in 2024.

 

Despite facing a decline in 2024, marine municipal fisheries remained the largest contributor to total fisheries volume. The subsector accounted for 50.66% of the Cebu province's total fisheries production in 2025.

 

This rebound was fueled by massive production spikes in specific fish varieties.

 

Anchovies and fimbriated sardines were the top-produced species, the PSA report said.

 

Anchovies, locally known as dilis, posted the highest fish production in the category at 4,876.47 metric tonnes, marking a staggering 1,334.26% increase from the 340 metric tonnes recorded in 2024.

 

Production of siganid or samaral also surged by 1,042.24% to 2,186.01 metric tonnes, up from 191.38 metric tonnes the previous year.

 

Indian mackerel, or alumahan, grew by 52.57 % to 2,008.62 metric tonnes, while Bali sardinella, commonly known as tamban, climbed by 304.93% to 1,610.49 metric tonnes.

 

In contrast, production of big-eyed scad or matangbaka declined sharply by 59.75% to 1,420.67 metric tonnes from 3,529.54 metric tonnes in 2024, indicating a shift in market supply trends.

 

Municipal fisheries involve fishing in marine waters within 15 kilometers from the shoreline using small fishing boats of three gross tons or less. The Quarterly Municipal Fisheries Survey (QMFS) collects data on the volume and prices of fish species unloaded at municipal landing centers.

 

Meanwhile, marine fisheries involve catching, processing, and selling fish and other aquatic animals in seawater using larger-scale methods such as mechanised fishing and synthetic fiber nets.

 

Fish are caught at sea, sorted on fishing vessels, and brought to shore, with common species including mackerel, tuna, sardines, and Bombay duck.

 

The commercial fisheries subsector also saw positive movement in 2025, reflecting its growing contribution to Cebu's economy.

 

Production reached 9,641.69 metric tonnes, up 17.70% from the 8,191.79 metric tonnes recorded in 2024.

 

Fimbriated sardines, locally known as tunsoy, led commercial fish production with 2,543.06 metric tonnes. Roundscad or galunggong ranked second, with output rising by 28.90 % to 1,970.35 metric tonnes.

 

Commercial fisheries refer to fishing operations conducted in marine waters beyond 15 kilometers from the shoreline using fishing boats weighing more than three gross tonnes. Data were gathered through the Quarterly Commercial Fisheries Survey (QCFS), which monitors the volume and prices of fish unloaded at commercial landing centers.

 

Despite gains in other fisheries sectors, aquaculture production declined by 18.16% during the period. Output dropped to 8,405.42 metric tonnes from 10,270.23 metric tonnes in 2024.

 

Production from brackishwater fishponds fell sharply by 45.72 % to 3,402.18 metric tonnes. In contrast, seaweed production remained strong, increasing by 20.84 % to 3,462.13 metric tonnes.

 

Freshwater fishponds posted the highest growth rate at 70.39 %, although production volume remained low at 48.63 metric tonnes.

 

Aquaculture covers the farming and cultivation of fish and other aquatic species in facilities such as fishponds, fish pens and fish cages, including oyster, mussel and seaweed culture. Data were collected through the Quarterly Aquaculture Survey (QAqS).

 

Meanwhile, inland municipal fisheries, which include fishing activities in lakes and rivers, continued to decline in 2025. Production dropped by 31.83 % to 5.44 metric tonnes from 7.98 metric tonnes in 2024.

 

The PSA said the subsector contributes only a minimal share to Cebu's overall fisheries production.

 

Inland fisheries involve fishing in inland bodies of water using boats weighing three gross tons or less, or fishing activities that do not require boats. Data were gathered through the Quarterly Inland Fisheries Survey.

 

The 2025 figures were based on quarterly surveys of commercial fisheries, municipal fisheries and aquaculture farms across Cebu. Officials said the data remain preliminary and may still change once validation is completed.

- Sunstar