- Based on preliminary figures for May (and revised data), overall purse seine fishing effort increased with fishing intensity (fishing days/calendar day) also up and despite the decline in overall catch rate, total catch rose. Fleet concentration remained heaviest towards the north-west as El Nino conditions weakened further, and imminent ENSO-neutral conditions develop.
- Overall effort increased 15% in May and the distribution across zones showed heaviest concentrations in FM and PG that combined, accounted for 66% of total. The overall increase in fishing intensity came from the overall increase in EEZs as intensity in HS declined. Preliminary data for early Jun shows that there has been a major shift in effort (and catches) from FM to PG EEZ, still in the north-west region, nonetheless.
- Overall purse seine catches during the month rose 10% driven largely by the increase in SKJ. FM and PG accounted for 74% of total.
- Overall catch rate declined 4% as the increases in HS, PG and TV were more than offset by declines in all other EEZs. The highest catch rate was in HS. The SKJ catch rate in May declined 5% while catch rates for other species, except for large YFT, improved. Early Jun data shows reduced overall daily catch rate.
- Reported total transhipped volume declined 12% from record level in Apr. Transhipped volumes across all ports declined except in Majuro. PG ports accounted for the greatest volume transhipped, 42%, while FM accounted for 40%.
- Bangkok SKJ prices in May as reported by Thai Union rose to $1,480/mt from Apr. The Singapore MGO price edged down to an average $753/mt and the differential between the prices widened by 21%.
- El Nino conditions as shown in the Mar-May SST index reduced to +0.7 degrees Celsius from +1.1 degrees Celsius. The latest weekly data shows a range of -0.5 degrees Celsius – +0.8 degrees Celsius SST departures across most of the Pacific and NOAA forecasts ENSO-neutral conditions by Jun.
Monthly Updates
Past Monthly Reports