Monthly Updates

  • Based on preliminary figures (and revised data), the Nov overall purse seine fishing effort increased against improved overall catch rate and total catch rose. Fleet concentration shifted towards the south and eastern zones as activity in the far West eased.
  • Overall effort increased slightly 3% to 3,960 days in Nov with heaviest but easing concentrations in PG as significant shifts to SB EEZ and eastern HS as well as to KI EEZs occurred. Overall fishing intensity increased for the month, solely from the increase in activity in eastern HS as overall intensity in EEZs declined. Preliminary data in early Dec showed a broadly similar concentration as in Nov being heaviest in PG, KI, HS and SB in that order.
  • VDS usage in Nov was 3,960 days and the Nov y-t-d usage came to 36,623 days; around 40,000 total by year-end is expected.
  • The average day catch in Nov at 36t was from a mix of performances across zones. The highest catch rates were in HS and PG, 48t and 41t respectively. Catch rate for SKJ improved to 29t but early Dec data pointed to a lower catch rate of 25t.
  • The Nov overall catch was up 16% to 143,200t driven by the increase in SKJ component. Other catches also increased except for large YFT and large BET. PG and SB accounted for 60% of total catch.
  • Reported total transhipped volume decreased by 7% to 75,200t with most transhipping through PG and MH. Both accounted for 48% of total.
  • Bangkok SKJ prices in Nov as reported by Thai Union improved 3% to $1,550/mt while the Singapore MGO price increased 5% to an average $672/mt. The SKJ and MGO price differential increased.
  • The ENSO index for the Sep-Nov period at -0.2OC showed continuing neutral conditions. A weak and short duration La Nina by Nov’24-Jan’25 period has been projected (59% chance), to transition to ENSO-neutral by Mar-May 2025 period (61% chance).
Monthly Updates
Past Monthly Reports