The increase in the country’s fry and fingerling production is expected to boost aquaculture productivity this year following a decline in 2025, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

In a statement, BFAR said it recorded a total output of 335.3 million pieces of fry and fingerling stockings last year, nearly three percent higher than the 325.9 million pieces produced in 2024.

Fry refer to young fish stocked in ponds for grow-out, while fingerlings are those that have developed to about the size of a finger and are ready for commercial grow-out.

BFAR said the improvement in local production of young fish would enhance access to quality stocking materials, ultimately supporting higher aquaculture productivity nationwide.

This development comes at a time when the country’s fisheries output has been declining across nearly all subsectors, including aquaculture.

Based on the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), total fish output for 2025 is estimated at around 3.96 million metric tons (MT), down 2.5 percent from 4.06 million MT in the previous year.

Aquaculture, which accounted for more than half of the total volume, declined by nearly two percent to 2.18 million MT from 2.22 million MT.

The commercial sector produced 849,498 MT of fish last year, a contraction of 2.2 percent from 868,334 MT a year earlier.

Municipal fisheries also contributed to the overall decline, with output falling by 4.2 percent to 928,342 MT from 969,030 MT.

BFAR said the expanded fry and fingerling production is expected to lift aquaculture output, which could help reinvigorate the country’s overall fisheries production.

For the year, the Bureau said it aims to sustain gains under its National Broodstock Development Program to ensure a steady supply of high-quality fish seeds for the industry.

Through the program, BFAR noted that it has utilized sustainable aquaculture technologies and properly maintained broodstocks, helping improve the production of fry and fingerlings.

BFAR National Director Elizer Salilig said he has directed regional offices and national technology centers to strengthen the operations of their community-based legislated hatcheries to better support local fish farming.

Salilig also urged them to further develop fishery programs by identifying lead fish commodities in each region and ramping up field visits.

In addition, he is encouraging the private sector to invest in aquaculture to bolster the capacity of local fish farms.

“With strengthened hatchery operations, focused regional strategies, and stronger partnerships with the private sector, we can further accelerate the growth and productivity of the aquaculture industry,” Salilig said.