The supply of fish---and consequently, its prices--has already stabilized as far as the National Capital Region (NCR)-plus is concerned, the Department of Agriculture (DA) bared Tuesday, April 20.

Agriculture secretary William Dar said the positive development was brought about by "the peak season in the country's major fishing grounds, as well as from the DA's efforts to ensure food security amid the pandemic."

NCR-plus pertains to Metro Manila (NCR) and the nearby provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite and Laguna.

"During the second week of the month, from April 8 to 14, total volume of marine fish catch unloaded at the Navotas Fish Port Complex amounted to 3,760 metric tons (MT), 200 MT more than the previous week," Dar noted.

The DA's Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), revealed that the fish catch included galunggong (roundscad), turay, tulingan, tunsoy, tamban, pusit (squid), matambaka, gulyasan, dalagang bukid (yellowtail fusilier), and shrimps.

These were caught from the waters off eastern and northern Palawan, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Visayan Sea--all considered major fishing grounds in the country.

There was also an abundant supply of bangus (milkfish) and tilapia coming from fishpens and fishponds in Bulacan, Pangasinan, Taal Lake in Batangas, and Laguna de Bay.

As a result, the prevailing retail prices of the most in-demand fishery commodities have remained stable in most public markets in the NCR plus, Dar said.

The department disclosed that in 10 retail markets and one wholesale market in Metro Manila, prices of fresh galunggong ranged from P180 to P240 per kilogram (kg), while prices of tilapia and bangus stood at P120 to P130/kg, and P180/kg, respectively.

The secretary further said that these are considered improvements when compared to prices during the latter part of 2020 and first quarter of 2021, when galunggong sold for as high as P300/kg, bangus at P220/kg, and tilapia at P160/kg.