Fish imports, aquaculture counted on to provide price relief to consumers

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is boosting aquaculture and considering fish imports to stabilize prices of fisheries products, as fisherfolk face the risk of limited production due to the high price of fuel.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said fish supply remains sufficient, but rising fuel costs due to the war in the Middle East and the upcoming lean season could reduce availability.

“Fisheries is directly affected by oil prices. For now, however, it is in season. The catch is abundant,” he told reporters during a market visit in San Juan City on Wednesday.

While prices of fishery commodities have been rising, Mr. Laurel said they have eased compared to recent months due to improved supply arising from the ongoing harvest.

“I’ve noticed that the price of galunggong (round scad) is around P200 per kilo. Before, it was P350. It means that the harvest has started,” he said.

Mr. Laurel said, however, that a continued surge in fuel prices going into the lean season could reduce commercial fishing.

“Right now, our fishermen are still earning. But if fuel prices remain high by May or June, our fishermen may not be able to fish, which could lead to a shortage,” he said.

As a contingency, Mr. Laurel said the DA is prioritizing aquaculture, particularly tilapia and bangus (milkfish) production, to provide alternatives.

“We are pushing our aquaculture industry to seed more fingerlings this summer so that hopefully, by that time, May or June, we will have an ample supply of fish,” he said.

Mr. Laurel also cited the prospect of imports covering any shortfall in supply. The DA has approved the import of 250,000 metric tons of fish starting August.

However, Mr. Laurel said imports could be limited by global supply constraints.

“The problem is we might not be able to get supply because the situation of our fishermen here is the same problem for the fishermen in other countries,” he said. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel