THE Department of Agriculture said that the price of bangus and tilapia are still up.
According to the DA Bantay Presyo, the price of bangus is at P150 to 250 per kilo. It is up from the P150 to 220 from two weeks ago.
Tilapia on the other hand is at P110 to 170 from P100 to 160 two weeks ago.
According to Asis Perez of Tugon Kabuhayan, a known fishery group, the situation is due to the fact that there is a full moon, which affects volume of catch.
“Minsan mga 4 na araw yan, lumiliwanag ang buwan. During that period of time, mababa talaga ang huli ng isda natin na alat,” he said.
“Yun naman ang pagkakataon ng aquaculture na naibebenta ang produkto nila, wala sila kalaban sa merkado. So naturally, prices will adjust,” Perez added.
On the other hand, Perez said that based on their monitoring, the supply og fish is still stable even with the effect of El Niño yet to be felt in the fishery sector.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), meanwhile, said supply of fish is sufficient, even if the country is still at the closed fishing season.
“Kung may namo-monitor na pagtaas sa ating aquaculture activities, maaaring ma-attribute sa dahilan na limitado pa ang supply ng marine species dahil sarado pa ang major fishing grounds natin,” said Nazer Briguera, spokesperson of BFAR.
