Davao: The Philippine Statistics Authority in Davao Region (PSA-11) reported Monday that regional fisheries production in 2025 reached 61,290.97 metric tons (MT), marking a five percent decrease from the 64,483.43 MT recorded in 2024.
According to Philippines News Agency, PSA-11 noted that Davao del Sur posted the steepest decline at 40.8 percent, with output dropping from 22,814.52 MT in 2024 to 13,517.57 MT in 2025. In contrast, Davao del Norte registered the highest increase at 4.9 percent, rising from 3,318.07 MT to 3,480.33 MT. Gains were also reported in Davao Oriental (up 4.3 percent to 24,966.18 MT), Davao Occidental (up 2.6 percent to 11,492.11 MT), and Davao de Oro (up 2.3 percent to 3,277.88 MT).
PSA-11 explained that despite production gains in most provinces, the substantial decline in Davao del Sur largely drove the overall regional decrease. By provincial share, Davao Oriental contributed the largest portion at 40.7 percent (24,966.18 MT), followed by Davao del Sur at 22.1 percent (13,517.57 MT), and Davao Occidental at 18.8 percent (11,492.11 MT). Davao City accounted for 7.4 percent (4,556.90 MT), while Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro contributed 5.7 percent (3,480.33 MT) and 5.3 percent (3,277.88 MT), respectively.
Meanwhile, commercial fisheries production in the region surged to 10,530.17 MT in 2025, a 57.6 percent increase from 6,679.97 MT in 2024. Davao Oriental dominated with 9,505.96 MT, up 53.8 percent from 6,181.59 MT. Davao Occidental also posted growth of 4.5 percent (192.35 MT from 184.11 MT). However, Davao del Sur saw a sharp 65.9 percent drop (107.25 MT from 314.28 MT), while Davao City recorded 724.61 MT.
PSA-11 clarified that commercial fisheries cover fishing operations in marine waters beyond 15 kilometers from the shoreline by fishing boats with more than three gross tons. In terms of contribution, Davao Oriental accounted for 90.3 percent of the region's commercial fisheries output, followed by Davao City at 6.9 percent. Davao Occidental and Davao del Sur contributed 1.8 percent and 1.0 percent, respectively. This distribution reveals a strong concentration of commercial fisheries activity in Davao Oriental and Davao City, which together made up over 97.2 percent of the total regional output.
PSA-11 further stated that the fisheries sector comprises four subsectors: commercial, marine municipal, inland municipal, and aquaculture. Quarterly surveys generate the volume and value of production by species at the national, regional, and provincial levels, serving as input to agriculture performance and national accounts.
