• Based on preliminary figures (and revised data), the Dec overall purse seine fishing effort broadly steadied while overall catch rate and total catch decreased. Fleet concentration remained focused in the central and eastern zones although activity in the far west increased.
  • Overall effort slightly declined 0.2% to 3,876 days in Dec with highest concentration in PG EEZ alone while the combined concentration in other EEZs and eastern HS accounted for around 60%. Overall fishing intensity decreased for the month, solely from the decline in activity in eastern HS with only a slight increased intensity in EEZs. Preliminary data in early Jan showed a broadly similar concentration as in Dec being heaviest in PG, FM, KI and SB in that order.
  • VDS usage in Dec was 3,569 days and the Dec y-t-d usage came to over 40,000 days, as expected.
  • The average day catch in Dec at 30t was from a mix of performances across zones. The highest catch rates were in PG and NR, at 36t. Catch rate for SKJ dropped to 23t but early Jan data pointed to an even lower catch rate of 18t.
  • The Dec overall catch was down 25% to 117,252t mainly due to the decrease in the SKJ component. Other catches also declined except for large YFT and large BET. PG and KI accounted for 63% of total catch.
  • Reported total transhipped volume decreased by 10% to 69,200t with most transhipping through PG, FM and MH. These accounted for 75% of total.
  • Bangkok SKJ prices in Dec as reported by Thai Union dropped 1% to $1,540/mt while the Singapore MGO price increased 1% to an average $679/mt. The SKJ and MGO price differential decreased.
  • The ENSO index for the Oct-Dec period at -0.4 Degrees Celcius showed continuing neutral conditions. However, the latest weekly SST departure report for region Nino 3.4 at -0.7 Degrees Celcius shows the presence of La Nina conditions. These are projected to prevail through to the Feb-Apr 2025 season (59% chance) when transition to ENSO-neutral conditions is expected during Mar-May season (60% chance). 
Monthly Updates