Aquaculture to drive up Phl fish harvest, says FAO

The country’s fisheries production is projected to rise by 12 percent to almost 2.9 million metric tons (MT) in 2032 on the back of higher aquaculture output, the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said.

-  JASPER EMMANUEL ARCALAS

In its latest global report, the FAO estimated that Philippine fish output in 2032 would reach 2.881 million MT, up from 2.572 million MT recorded in 2022.

The FAO noted that aquaculture production would contribute more to the country’s fisheries production by 2032. The country’s aquaculture output in 2022 stood at 804,000 MT, about 31 percent of its total fisheries production during the period, according to FAO.

In 2032, the contribution of aquaculture to overall fisheries output would increase to about 34 percent with estimated production at 965,000 MT or about a fifth higher than the 2022 volume.