DA estimates over 200,000 metric tons of tuna catch in 2024

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines reached an estimate of 201,034 metric tons of tuna catch in 2024, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Sunday.

This is according to the 18th Philippine Tuna Statistics (PTUNASTAT) Annual Catch Estimates Review Workshop that the DA - National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) conducted on June 5-6, 2025.

“The final estimate of 201,034 metric tons reflects improved accuracy, achieved through harmonizing methodologies and datasets, including logbook records, cannery submissions, and observer data,” the DA said in a statement.

READ: Oceana PH asks gov’t to step up efforts vs illegal fishing, over fishing

DA noted that the data from the estimates came from previous tuna data review workshops, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City) Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc., the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and Philippine Fisheries Development Authority offices in General Santos City, Davao, and Iloilo.

The DA also said that the review workshop aimed to consolidate sufficient data to validate tuna catch from the previous year. The DA described PTUNASTAT as a “cornerstone initiative in the Philippines’ effort to enhance the accuracy and reliability of national tuna catch statistics— critical to sustainable fisheries management and international reporting commitments.”

Some of the recommendations from the workshop include: earlier submission of data; standardization of reporting formats to improve catch and effort data; inviting Bangsamoro region’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform to future workshops; maintaining matrix of workshop recommendations for regular monitoring and follow-up by NFRDI.

Meanwhile, according to data released by the PSA last May 6, the total volume of fisheries production in the first quarter of 2025 reached 1.01 million metric tons, a 1.5% increase from the 0.99 million metric tons registered in the same period last year.

The PSA noted that the increase in production was seen in inland municipal fisheries and aquaculture, while the production decline was noted in commercial and marine municipal fisheries.

/mr

(2025/06/15-14:49)