Fishing, an ancient practice intertwined with human history, has evolved from a mere means of survival to a recreational activity, an industry, and even a cultural heritage. Across diverse landscapes, from tranquil ponds to raging oceans, fishing systems vary in complexity, technique, and purpose. This comprehensive exploration delves into the intricacies of fishing systems, encompassing traditional methods, modern technologies, sustainability challenges, and socio-economic impacts. Traditional Fishing Systems Traditional fishing systems embody centuries-old wisdom, deeply rooted in local communities and indigenous cultures. These systems often rely on simple tools such as nets, traps, and lines, meticulously crafted to harness nature's bounty sustainably. From the intricately woven nets of Southeast Asian fishermen to the elegant handcrafted canoes of Polynesian navigators, traditional fishing techniques showcase the intimate relationship between humans and their aquatic environment. Subsistence Fishing Subsistence fishing, prevalent in rural and coastal communities worldwide, serves as a vital source of food security and livelihood. Whether casting lines from wooden piers or setting traps along riverbanks, subsistence fishermen navigate the ebb and flow of nature to sustain their families and communities. Despite the advent of modern technologies, many continue to embrace traditional methods, preserving cultural heritage and ecological balance. Commercial Fishing Systems In contrast to subsistence fishing, commercial fishing operates on a larger scale, driven by economic imperatives and global demand. Industrial trawlers equipped with state-of-the-art sonar systems scour the ocean depths, targeting lucrative species for mass consumption. While commercial fishing fuels economies and supplies seafood to millions, it also raises concerns about overfishing, bycatch, and ecosystem degradation, prompting calls for sustainable management practices. Aquaculture The rise of aquaculture represents a paradigm shift in global fisheries, offering a controlled environment for cultivating fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants. From inland ponds to offshore sea cages, aquaculture facilities harness technological innovations to optimize production efficiency and minimize environmental impact. While aquaculture alleviates pressure on wild fish stocks, it presents challenges related to habitat degradation, disease outbreaks, and genetic pollution. Recreational Fishing For many enthusiasts, fishing transcends mere sustenance or profit, embodying a profound connection to nature and a source of leisure and relaxation. Recreational anglers flock to rivers, lakes, and coastal waters, armed with rods, reels, and a passion for the chase. Catch-and-release practices promote conservation, allowing anglers to experience the thrill of the catch while safeguarding fish populations for future generations. Technological Advancements Advancements in technology have re

2.  What is the status of Philippine capture fisheries?
In terms of production, the Philippines is among
the top fisheries and aquaculture producers globally
ranking 10th in capture fishery production and 11th in
aquaculture production.
 What is the status of marine fisheries in the
Philippines?
The total volume of the fisheries production in the
Philippines from January to December 2020 reached 4.40
million metric tons.

3.  What is the status of coral reef fisheries in the
Philippines?
Aside from being over-fished, the Philippine coral
reefs have been damaged by the use of destructive
fishing methods. The high intensity of fishing (up to
50% of fish standing stock removed by fishing annually)
has resulted in the depletion of fishery species.

4. Projected Economic Impact of Climate Change on Marine
Capture Fisheries in the Philippines
Climate change and its impact on fisheries is a key issue for
fishing nations, particularly the Philippines. The Philippines is
highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change on fisheries,
and it can lead to economic shock on the nation’s economy.

5. Economic Review on Impacts of Climate Change on Fisheries
 Many empirical studies in oceanography, physiology and ecology
began to deal with the relationship between fisheries and climate due to
the growing need for extension of the discussion about continued
climate change.
 Few studies cover economic impact on fisheries , several studies have
argued that climate change affects the amount of catch in business
terms.

6. World Scenario: Philippine Fisheries
 In 2018, the Philippines ranked 8th among the top fish producing
countries in the world with its total production of 4.35 million metric
tons (MT) of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic plants (including
seaweed). The production constituted 2.06% of the total world
production of 211.87 million MT (FAO, 2020).
 In terms of aquaculture production, the country ranked 11th in the
world with 826.01 thousand MT or 1.01% share of the total global
aquaculture production of 82.10 million MT. The total value of the
country’s aquaculture production including fish, crustaceans, and
mollusks is USD 1.89 billion (FAO, 2020).
 The Philippines is also the world’s 4th largest producer of aquatic plants
(including seaweed) having a total of 1.48 million MT or 4.56% of the
total world production of 32.39 million MT (FAO, 2020).

7. Livelihoods
 Municipal fisherfolk are engaged in different types of
fisheries livelihood such as capture fishing, fish farming
or aquaculture, fish processing, fish vending, gleaning,
and other fishery-related jobs. Based on the Municipal
Fisherfolk Registration System or FishR 2020 data, 1.03
million fisherfolk or nearly half (49.50%) of the total 2.08
million registered fisherfolk are engaged in capture
fishing.

8. Number of Registered Fisherfolk Engaged in Fishery
Activities by Type of Livelihood, 2020
Capture Fishing 1,029,963
Gleaning 247,021
Aquaculture 233,725
Fish Vending 130,027
Fish Processing 39,090
Others 399,087
Total 2, 078,913

9. Performance of the Fishing Industry
 The total volume of fisheries production in the
Philippines from January to December 2020 reached 4.40
million metric tons. The 2020 fisheries production also
showed a 0.33% decrease from the 2019 production of
4.42 million MT. The 2020 production value of PhP
273.49 billion at current prices is 2.90% lower than the
previous year’s production value of PhP 281.65 billion.

10.  The annual performance of the fisheries industry was attributed to
the production of the (1) aquaculture, (2) municipal capture
fisheries, and (3) commercial capture fisheries. Compared with
the previous year’s performance, the aquaculture subsector posted
a decline of 1.5% or 35,428 MT in production, followed by the
municipal capture fisheries sub-sector with a decline of 2.04%
(22,955 MT). Inversely, the increase in the commercial capture
fisheries sub-sector of 4.7% (43,754 MT) made up for the decline in
production of the other sub-sectors. These figures translate to a
0.33% decrease in total annual fish production.

11. Exports 2020
 Foreign trade performance of the fishery industry in 2020
registered a net surplus of USD 412.53 million - total export value
of USD 1.00 billion and import value of USD 592.36 million.
 In terms of volume, fisheries export decreased by 1.04% from
264,254 MT in 2019 to 261,495.23 MT in 2020.
 The three major export commodities (tuna, seaweed,
shrimp/prawn) combined for 68.22% (178,395 MT) of the total
export volume (261,495.23 MT) and 69.57% (USD 699.2 million) of
the total export value of USD 1.01 billion in 2020.
Fisheries Export and Import Performance

12.  Tuna remained as the top export commodity with a collective
volume of 134,412 MT for fresh/chilled/frozen, smoked/dried, and
canned tuna products valued at USD 481 million. Canned tuna,
though, constituted the bulk of tuna products being exported. In
general, volume of exported tuna increased by 12% in terms of
volume and 0.6% in value.
 Seaweed came second on export value sharing 22% to the total
export earnings in 2019. It went up to USD 250 million from USD
207 million (13%) in 2018. Carrageenan remained as the major
export product comprising 94% of the total seaweed export value.
The USA, China, Spain, Russia, and Belgium were the major
markets for the Philippine seaweed products.

13.  Shrimp/Prawn ranked fourth with a total contribution of USD 20.31
million to the total export value, lower than previous year’s export
earnings of USD 42 million. Most of the shrimps/prawns are exported
in fresh/chilled/frozen form with a total value of USD 18 million or
90% of the total shrimp/prawn exports. Export of shrimp/ prawn in
terms of volume and value has decreased by 5% from last year. Japan,
USA, and South Korea remained to be among the major destinations
of shrimp/ prawn products.
 Other major fishery exports such as crabs/crab fats, octopus, grouper,
cuttlefish/ squid, ornamental fish, rounds cad, and sea cucumber
constituted 12% or USD 118.8 million of the total USD 1,004 million
export revenues. Other commodities accounted for the remaining 20%
of the total export value/earnings.

14. Imports 2020
 The Philippine fishery imports reached 405,570 MT in 2020 wherein
43.69% of those are tuna, 11.93% are mackerel, 1.15% are sardines, 3.25%
are prawn feeds, 2.64% are flour, meals & pellets of fish, crustaceans &
mollusks unfit for human consumption, and the remaining 37.33% are
other fish and fishery products imports. These commodities translate to
USD 592.37 million or Ph. 29.54 billion. Commodities with the highest
share in total import value are tuna with 40.42% contribution, and
mackerel with 8.07%.
 The countries of origin with the highest share in total value of imported
fishery imports are China (25.91%), Papua New Guinea (20.98%),
Vietnam (12.26%), Japan (3.99%), Taiwan (3.7%), South Korea (3.33%),
Thailand (3.23%), and Nauru (3.06%). Other countries contributed the
remaining 18.74% of the total import value.

15. Thank You!