Fish price increase seen ahead of Holy Week —BFAR

As Holy Week nears, the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) said the price for fish products is expected to increase as demand goes up.

According to a report by Bernadette Reyes on "24 Oras," since it is customary for Catholics to abstain from eating meat during the Lent season, many turn to fish and seafood, which affects supply in some public markets.

BFAR assured the public of sufficient supply since it is currently an open fishing season for pelagic species like galunggong, tulingan and alumahan. However, price increases cannot be avoided.

“Historically talaga may natatala tayo konting pagtaas ng presyo lalo mataas demand pag-mahal na araw pero di namin nakikita malawakang kakulangan o pagtaas ng presyo,” BFAR chief information officer Nazzer Briguera said.

He noted that if the total supply and demand of fish this year are added, there is a shortage of 166,000 metric tons caused by production loss estimated at 25 to 40 percent.

This was also the observation of the food security advocacy group 'Tugon Kabuhayan.' Moreover, there are indications of overfishing in some places.

“By itself we are already sufficient. Ang problema lang natin ‘yung ating production hindi natin napapakinabangan lahat kasi marami tayong losses,” said Asis Perez, co-convenor of Tugon Kabuhayan.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos had said that the problems of the fishing industry will be addressed by building and renovating fish ports and cold storage facilities.

“Nandyan yung pagpapalawak natin sa operations ng Marine Culture Parks. Tinitingnan din mga abandoned and unutilized fished pond under the fishpond lease agreement, lalagyan natin ng stocks and andyan din mga legislative hatcheries. Kailangan may available tayong fingerling at isa ito sa programa ng BFAR,” Briguera said.

"Let's focus on post-harvest. Palagay namin isa sa pinaka-strategic siguraduhin mayroong ingredients and aquaculture industry,” Perez added.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News