Bangus gets smaller, more expensive; other fish prices go up due to cold weather

Consumers were greeted with higher prices of bangus and other fish at public markets due to the cold weather.

The bangus available at public markets also got smaller, according to a report by Darlene Cay on GMA Integrated News' Unang Balita on Wednesday.

At the Blumentritt Market in Manila, a medium-sized bangus that used to be sold at P180 per kilo now goes for P200 per kilo. Such was also the biggest size available at the market on Wednesday.

Bangus from Dagupan and Laguna are also fetching prices of P150 to P200 per kilo, but these are smaller compared to the sizes available before.

A fish vendor said customers have complained that the bangus has become smaller but more expensive.

The prices of other fish also went up as follows:

• yellowfin tuna: from P200/kilo to P260/kilo
• salmon: from P120 to P130 per kilo to P180 per kilo now
• tilapia: from P100/kilo to P130/kilo now
• galunggong: from P160/kilo to P200/kilo

One fish vendor said that is really how it is when the weather is cold — the fish go deeper under the sea so fewer fish are caught.

According to the Board of Fishery, fishes do not grow fast when the weather is cold and when the water is warm.

"Ito ‘yung problema natin, kasi ‘yung metabolism ng mga isda ‘yung paggamit ng mga kinain ng isda ay hindi maayos, hindi normal kaya tuwing malamig ang panahon i-expect natin na ‘yung paglaki ng isda ay hindi normal kaysa kung nasa tag-araw tayo o mainit ang panahon," Dr. Westly Rosario, chairman of the Board of Fishery, said.

In Dagupan City, the prices of bangus have also been going up in the past few days, according to a separate report on Unang Balita based on information gathered by GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon.

At the Magsaysay Fish Market, the oversized bangus fetches a price of P150 to P160 per kilo, while the undersized ones go for P110 per kilo.

Most of the bangus being sold measure around six centimeters, far from the standard size of 15 centimeters.

Prices of bangus are still expected to rise in the coming days. 

Weather bureau PAGASA said the cold weather will be experienced until February. —KG, GMA Integrated News