- Based on preliminary figures the overall purse seine fishing effort increased in Dec as fishing intensity (fishing days/calendar day) rose specifically in the central/west EEZs. Note that monthly figures get adjusted as NFDs are processed.
- Despite the increase in overall effort, total purse seine catches (EEZs+HS) decreased in Dec by 7% as overall catch rate declined but nonetheless catches remain high (22% on Dec ’22), marking 3 consecutive months of relatively high catches resulting in the highest quarterly catch since June quarter 2019.
- Effort and catch increased towards the central/west fishing grounds and concentration in the east in KI EEZ and HS eased further with combined shares of total effort and total catch reduced to 55% and 48% respectively.
- Preliminary figures showed reduced overall catch rate, down 16% to 35t/day. The highest catch rate was in SB but catch rates in PG, NR, and TV were also high.
- Reported total transhipped volume rose 12% to almost 86,500t in Dec as transhipped volume in FM, PG and TV increased. The highest transhipped volume was in PG ports accounting for 37% of total volume.
- Bangkok SKJ prices in Dec as reported by Thai Union declined 3% to $1,450/mt from Nov. The Singapore MGO price decreased 7% to an average $766/mt and the differential between the prices broadly maintains at previous two months levels.
- Strong El Nino conditions prevailed in the Oct-Dec period, with SSTs averaging +1.9 degrees Celsius above the long-term average. NOAA predicts a possible return of ENSO-neutral conditions by Apr-Jun 2024 season with a 60% chance.
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