THE Philippine ocean-based industries reached the P1 trillion-mark last year, accounting for almost 4 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.
Recent data from the PSA showed that the country’s ocean economy went up by 4.7 percent to P1.01 trillion in 2024 from P962.49 billion in 2023.
The gross value added of ocean-based activities contributed 3.8 percent to the GDP at current prices in 2024.
The PSA said industries which recorded the highest growth include coastal construction (61.3 percent), coastal accommodation and food and beverage services activities (34.8 percent), and marine education (13.9 percent).
Among the ocean-based activities, ocean fishing accounted for the highest share to the total ocean economy at 24.5 percent.
This was followed by manufacture of ocean-based products, sea-based transportation and storage, and coastal accommodation and food and beverage services activities.
PSA data showed that the number of persons employed in ocean-based industries was 2.39 million.
“The number of employed persons in ocean-based activities accounted for 4.9 percent of the total employment in the country in 2024,” the PSA said.
Ocean fishing accounted for the largest share of total employment at 35.6 percent, followed by sea-based transportation and storage and coastal accommodation and food and beverage services activities.
On the other hand, the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA)-Regional Fish Ports (RFP) earlier reported that fish product volume delivered at regional fish ports across the country reached 56,008.82 metric tons (MT) in July this year.
This reflects a 10.12 percent increase in unloading volume compared to July 2024.
Among the regional fish ports, General Santos Fish Port Complex recorded the highest fish unloading volume with 32,812.05 MT or 37.66% increase in monthly fish volume.
It was followed by the Zamboanga Fish Port Complex, logging 613.76 MT – 14.54 percent higher than the fish volume it recorded in the same month last year.
The Iloilo Fish Port Complex in Iloilo City, meanwhile, experienced a slight decline in unloading with its 2,797.87 MT of fish due to the southwest monsoon (habagat) season.
Also affected by the inclement weather was the Lucena Fish Port Complex (1,086.26 MT of fish).
In March this year, regional fish ports reduced their shipments due to the prolonged northeast monsoon (amihan). (PNA)
