The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has approved the conduct of quarterly fisheries surveys to be conducted nationwide. These surveys will be conducted by the PSA to provide essential information on the volume and value of production of fish unloaded in different fish landing centers as well as those propagated/cultured in aquafarms. The statistics generated from these surveys will also serve as inputs to the compilation of the national accounts, estimation of performance of fishery sector, policy making and program implementation.

The quarterly fisheries surveys that have been renewed for clearance are as follows:

1. Quarterly Aquaculture Survey (QAqS) – a survey which aims to generate volume and value of aquaculture production by aquafarm type, and species. Aquaculture involves propagation and culturing of fish and other fishery species in farming facilities such as fishponds, fish pen and fish cages. It also includes oyster, mussel, and seaweed culture. A total of PhP 40.1 million will be utilized for this survey for the four quarters of 2023, covering 36,186 sample aquafarms from 84 provinces per quarter.

2. Quarterly Commercial Fisheries Survey (QCFS) – a survey which aims to generate information on volume and price of species unloaded in the commercial landing centers. Commercial fisheries covers fishing operations utilizing fishing vessels of more than three gross tons in marine waters beyond 15 kilometers from the shoreline. The survey will utilize a total budget amounting to PhP 29.3 million over four quarters and will cover 179 sample commercial landing centers from 58 provinces in each quarter.

3. Quarterly Municipal Fisheries Survey (QMFS) – a survey that aims to generate data on volume and price of species unloaded in the municipal landing centers. Municipal fisheries covers fishing operations within municipal waters within 15 kilometers from the shoreline, either without the use of a fishing vessel or with the use of fishing vessels of three gross tons or less. Every quarter, the survey will cover 885 municipal landing centers from 67 provinces, with a budget of PhP 70.9 million for four quarters.

4. Quarterly Inland Fisheries Survey (QIFS) – a survey conducted to collect information on the volume and price of species caught by inland fishing households. Inland fisheries covers fishing operations performed in inland bodies of water with fishing vessels of three gross tons or less, as well as fishing operation that does not require the use of a fishing vessel. A total budget of PhP 9.0 million has been allocated for four quarters, with each quarter covering 7,691 inland fishing households from 81 provinces.

The schedule of the data collection and release of results for the aforementioned surveys are as follows:

These quarterly fisheries surveys were reviewed and cleared for conduct under the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS), a mechanism being implemented by the PSA by virtue of Rule 28 of Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10625 to:

1. ensure sound design for data collection;

2. minimize the burden placed upon respondents;

3. effect economy in statistical data collection;

4. eliminate unnecessary duplication of statistical data collection efforts; and

5. achieve better coordination of government statistical activities.

In line with this, the PSA enjoins fishing operators and key informants to support and participate in the said surveys by providing the information needed. An authorized PSA interviewer will visit the aquafarms, landing centers, or inland fishing households accordingly, to conduct the interview.

For further information on SSRCS, please contact the Statistical Standards Division of the Standards Service with telephone numbers (02) 8376-1928 and (02) 8376-1931, and email address ssd.staff@psa.gov.ph.

DENNIS S. MAPA, Ph.D.
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General

See more at the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS) landing page.