Fishery statistics in the Philippines

Abstract

Following a brief account of the general trends currently observed in the fishery sector of the Philippines, a discussion is presented on the status of the National Fishery Statistical System. Fishery policy towards 2010 is also examined. It is concluded that fishery statistics in the Philippines are important due to the sector's sizable contribution to the national economy. Substantial funding support has been given to the Bureau of Agriculture Statistics to improve the methods of data generation, sampling designs and estimation procedures. The dissemination of fishery statistics has been enhanced with the creation of the Philippine Fisheries Information System at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the EASIBOARD of the Philippine Statistical Association. These systems will hopefully improve and accelerate data retrieval and information exchange among various fishery institutions and agencies.