Western Visayas recorded a 6.5 percent increase in total fisheries production in 2025, driven largely by strong gains in aquaculture and municipal fishing, even as commercial fisheries posted sharp declines, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA-6).

Data showed that the region’s total fisheries output reached 311,402 metric tons last year, up by 19,031 metric tons from 292,371 metric tons in 2024.

Aquaculture leads the expansion

Aquaculture remained the backbone of the region’s fisheries industry, accounting for 68.8 percent of total production.

The sector’s output rose by 14.5 percent, climbing from 187,156 metric tons in 2024 to 214,259 metric tons in 2025.

The growth was powered mainly by Capiz, which contributed 60.8 percent of total aquaculture production and surged by an impressive 48.2 percent.

Iloilo posted a 16.8 percent increase, while Guimaras expanded by 20.4 percent.

However, Antique and Aklan experienced setbacks, posting declines of 19.3 percent and 12.2 percent, respectively.

Municipal fisheries post gains

Municipal fisheries — covering both marine and inland subsectors — grew by 13.4 percent, contributing 17.3 percent to total production.

Marine municipal fisheries alone expanded by 13.6 percent, with Iloilo, Aklan, Capiz, and Guimaras all reporting strong double-digit growth.

Antique was the lone province in this category to record a decline.

Inland municipal fisheries saw a modest 6.1 percent increase, largely boosted by Aklan’s dramatic 160 percent surge.

Most other provinces, including Iloilo, reported contractions in inland catch.

Commercial fisheries contract

In contrast, the region’s commercial fisheries subsector shrank significantly by 25.1 percent, dropping from 57,703 metric tons in 2024 to 43,242 metric tons in 2025.

Aklan posted the steepest fall at 62.1 percent, followed by Capiz (20.2 percent) and Antique (13.3 percent).

Iloilo’s commercial fisheries output also dipped by 7.3 percent.

Guimaras remains the only province without a commercial fisheries landing center.

Commercial fisheries contributed only 13.9 percent of the region’s total production in 2025.

Value of production surges

Despite the drop in commercial output, the total value of fisheries production jumped by 25.9 percent, reaching P31.46 billion in 2025 from P24.99 billion in 2024.

Aquaculture posted the biggest increase in value at 59.6 percent, now accounting for 57.1 percent of total fisheries value.

Municipal fisheries value also rose by 18.2 percent.

Meanwhile, the value of commercial fisheries declined by 20 percent, reflecting the reduction in volume.IMT