MANILA – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said on Saturday that prices of round scad or galunggong have started to go down following the lifting of closed fishing season in various parts of the country.
“‘Yung latest report, ang galunggong ngayon is P180 to P200 (per kilo) ang presyo. Bumaba na nga… kasi last time umaabot ng P240 (per kilo),” BFAR Executive Director Eduardo Gongona said.
The BFAR chief explained that galunggong prices went up previously due to “conservation measures” such as the three-month closed fishing season.
To offset the lower supply and arrest further increase in prices, the government allowed the importation of 30,000 metric tons of galunggong.
“May nakarating na 15,000 metric tons kaya medyo bumaba na rin,” Gongona said.
“Noong Feb. 1, nag-open season na tayo sa Palawan. Noong Feb. 16 na-open season sa Visayas and sa March 1 mag-o-open season sa Zamboanga,” he added.
“Ang result niyan, dadami ang supply kaya bumaba na ang presyo ng mga ito,” Gongona said.
The closed fishing season was initiated in 2015 to protect and replenish galunggong during its peak spawning season and regulate its fishing in Palawan from November to January every year. (GMA News)
