 |
||
|
|
||
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
The primary objectives of this study were to determine the consumption statistics
of fish by species, the seasonality of demand and supply, the price-size relationship
of fish, and the economic impact of rice-fish culture in Central Luzon.
The market study indicated that the quantity and quality of fish available
in the region varied widely between provinces. The overall quantity of fish
available in 1977 was approximately 81,716 tons (metric), slightly higher
than the area's 1976 reported production. Annual per capita consumption was
18.9 kilograms, which approximated previous estimates.
Fish were more readily available in areas close to sources of supply, and
these areas had greatest sales. Bulacan and Pampanga provinces, regions with
coastal areas and wide fishpond areas, reported the most sales. Both quantity
and quality declined noticeably as fish moved inland from the coastal provinces.
Fish in the inland provinces of Nueva Eciia and Tarlac were poor in quality,
yet the prices were comparable to those in the coastal provinces. If alternatives
were available, the quality of marine fish in the inland provinces would be
unacceptable.
Interprovincial shipments of fish occurred in Central Luzon. However, substantial
quantities of fish were imported from outside the region. Bataan essentially
produced all the fish sold in the province. Zambales had near equality between
fish production and fish availability. The present study identified an inflow
of low quality marine fish into the region and an outflow of high quality
marine and freshwater fish to the greater Manila area.
Although supply variations were obvious, it was difficult to determine which
species of fish were low or high in supply at different times of the year.
Within-month variations in some species appeared to be greater than seasonal
variations. Insufficient supply of fish was most noticeable during December,
January, and February.
More than 50 percent of the fish sold weighed 100 grams or less, the size range postulated for rice-fish culture. While price differentials existed between species of fish, there was more variation in prices between different sizes of fish of the same type.
Study of the economic feasibility of rice-fish culture in the region indicated that net returns of P2,870.00 ($283.00) per hectare can be expected. Rice production is the main source of income of farmers in Central Luzon, and there is not a sufficient incentive to shift rice production. Therefore, fish production would be secondary to rice production in a rice-fish culture system. Fish grown simultaneously with rice do not decrease rice yield. Thus, fish will serve as an additional source of income. Nevertheless, the present marketing system will create impediments for the sale of fish from rice paddies.