MIMAROPA region recorded a substantial 30.8% increase in commercial fisheries production during the first quarter of 2025, driven primarily by a remarkable increase in frigate tuna catches, according to data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Total commercial fisheries production reached 6,120.82 metric tons in Q1 2025, up from 4,680.31 metric tons in the same period last year.

The growth was dominated by frigate tuna (tulingan), which saw production nearly double with a 96.4% increase to 1,304.56 metric tons compared to 664.11 metric tons in Q1 2024.

Round scad (galunggong) remained the leading commercial species by volume, accounting for 33.8% of total production at 1,366.23 metric tons, representing a healthy 33.9% year-over-year increase.

Skipjack (gulyasan) rounded out the top three commercial species with 1,050.97 metric tons, marking a 29.8% increase from the previous year.

Big-eyed scad (matangbaka) led municipal catches with a dramatic 343.4% surge to 1,957.07 metric tons, while caesio (dalagang-bukid) production declined 31.0% to 1,419.80 metric tons.

Indian mackerel (alumahan) demonstrated the strongest growth among major municipal species, increasing 222.3% to 1,335.77 metric tons from just 414.49 metric tons in Q1 2024.

Inland fisheries production rose 7.7% to 360.77 metric tons, with freshwater shrimp (hipon) showing exceptional growth of 839.1% to 39.91 metric tons.

Mudfish (dalac) production increased 68.9% to 51.43 metric tons, while tilapia production declined slightly by 3.7% to 128.12 metric tons.

The aquaculture sector recorded a 6.6% increase to 49,349.38 metric tons, led by strong performances in milkfish (bangus) production, which surged 116.5% to 151.17 metric tons, and tilapia, which jumped 197.2% to 146.80 metric tons.

Seaweed production grew modestly by 5.9% to 48,637.92 metric tons, maintaining its position as the dominant aquaculture product.

The strong performance across multiple fisheries sectors in MIMAROPA reflects both favorable environmental conditions and effective fisheries management in the region.

The substantial increases in top commercial species like frigate tuna and round scad suggest robust fish stocks and efficient fishing operations.

However, the mixed performance in municipal fisheries, with some species showing declines while others surge, indicates the need for continued monitoring and adaptive management strategies to ensure sustainable production levels.

The data covers the provinces of Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan.