Local fish prices steadily going down

Prices of local fish in Metro Manila have been steadily declining following the lifting of the three-month ban on fishing in the country’s major fishing grounds. The price of galunggong (roundscad) fell to P180 a kilogram from a high of P280 a kilo. Prices of bangus and tilapia per kilo also stabilized at P160 and P120, respectively. Between March 1 and 15, the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority reported an increase in the fish unloaded at the Navotas Fish Port Complex to 9,506 metric tons (MT). In just two weeks, the volume surpassed the record in January at 12,404 MT and in and February at 15,385 MT. —Karl Ocampo