Retail price of gg down by P50/kilo
By J.Lo
“At present, all areas are open after we implemented closed fishing season. Visayan Sea, Zamboanga peninsula and then northeastern Palawan for galunggong fishing, all these areas are open,” Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) spokesman Nazario Briguera said retail price of round scad or galunggong has gone down by P50 per kilo with peak fishing season.
Briguera said commercial fishers are allowed to operate in Visayan Sea, Zamboanga peninsula and Palawan after closed fishing season ended on Feb. 15.
He pointed out that closed fishing season was necessary as spawning period of mature sardines peaks during months of October to January.
“If you go to markets, you can see increase in unloading of tamban as closed fishing season ended in Zamboanga peninsula…’’good news… fish is cheaper now…in fact, galunggong prices declined by P50 compared to closed fishing season,” Briguera said.
He noted movement in retail prices of fish is only expected during entire observance of Holy Week as many Catholics avoid meat.
“Based on our experience on law of supply and demand, if demand is high, there is an increase in retail prices but it should only happen during Holy Week itself… important is we have sufficient supply,” he stressed.
According to Briguera, country only imports fish when there is a fishing ban. Volume of fish import this year is 29 percent more compared to 25,000 metric tons allowed by DA in 2022.
“Volume of imported fish is only limited, based on supply gap,” he concluded.
ISKUP! 