From a 6.27 percent drop in 2016, the Philippine aquaculture has bounce back in 2017. Based on the data from Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the aquaculture sector hit 2.24 metric tons in 2017 or an increase of 1.68 from previous year. A major contributing factor to this is due to favorable weather conditions in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces in the second quarter which accelerated seaweed productions. Another factor eyed is the LGU interventions like seaweed planting materials and floater distribution.
However, figures in commercial fisheries declined to 947 thousand metric tons or a a 6.89 percent drop from last year, with the frequent rainfall and multiple weather disturbances as the major culprit.