- Effort distribution across zones showed heaviest concentration in the far west with PG accounting for the highest proportion and combined with FM and SB accounted for 64% of total, up from 39% in Feb. Fishing intensity increased in these zones along with those in PW, TK and TV while fishing intensity in other zones lowered.
- Consistent with effort distribution during the month, purse seine catches in the far west outperformed catches in other zones. PG accounted for the largest portion of catch and combined with FM and SB accounted for 66% of total, up from 40% the previous month.
- Overall catch rate remained at 31t/day with catch rates in PG and HS showing the only improvements during the month.
- Reported total transhipped volume rose 17% to 76,800t, reversing the Feb decline of 28%. FM, PG and KI ports accounted for 87% of total transhipped volume.
- Bangkok SKJ prices in Mar as reported by Thai Union steadied at $1,300/mt from Feb. The Singapore MGO price edged down marginally to an average $792/mt and the differential between the prices slightly rose by 2%.
- Weakening El Nino conditions is shown in the Jan-Mar SST index reducing to +1.5 degrees Celsius from +1.8 degrees Celsius. More recent four weeks data show a range of +0.50 degrees Celsius– +1.0 degrees Celsius SSTs departures across most of the Pacific and NOAA forecasts ENSO-neutral conditions by Apr-Jun period.
Monthly Updates
Past Monthly Reports