THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said that the fish prices are likely to go down in the coming weeks following the lifting of the closed fishing season for round scad (galungggong) in Northern Palawan.
BFAR said it expects that this will result in a boost in supply for round scad in the local market.
“‘Pag maraming klase ng isda na mapagpipilian sa palengke, marami ang supply, it would actually boil down to reduced price,” said BFAR Chief Public information Officer Nazzer Briguera.
As of the latest price monitoring, local round scad retails at 200 to 320 pesos per kilo, while imported round scad sells for 180 to 260 pesos.
Tugon co-convenor Asis Perez said that the lower price of round scad could also have a domino effect on other agricultural commodities.
“Kung marami talagang isda it can even affect the price of meat to a certain extent,” Perez saod.
Briguera, however, said it would take some time before the fresh catch reaches the market.
“We need to consider these are large commercial fishing vessels na pupunta doon sa Palawan so it would take days din para makarating sila doon and then manghuli and then babalik,” he said.
While imported galunggong is currently still being sold in some markets, BFAR said it will not compete with local harvest.
“‘Eto yung mga bahagi pa ng mga inagkat natin but this is understandable kasi nga ano pa lang naman kabubukas lang. Pero Inaasahan natin na dapat maubos na ito bago pa dumating yung mga unloadings mula sa local production natin,” Briguera explained.
