Fish Market Survey at Chinatown Market in Koronadal City: Basis for

Understanding the status of the Local Fishery

Ana Mae Bo-oc
Department of Fisheries, Mindanao State Univerity
General Santos City

ABSTRACT
In observance of researcher only 26 species where present fish species that sold
in the market. Sizes from 15-19 cm long of Purse-Eye Scad, 20-244 cm long of
Mackerel Scad, 15-19.99 cm long of Frigate Tuna, 45-49.99 cm long of Skipjack, 35-
39.99 cm long of Yellowfin Tuna, 30-34.99cm long of Milkfish, 20-24.99cm long of
Tilapia and 25-35cm long of Catfish estimated most common size range, covered 49%
of fishstock. In Observance of Likert’s scale the factors that affecting the price
fluctuation in Chinatown market is that the Fish Species, Location, Suppliers Price,
Seasonal Change, Close Season and Natural Calamities rated with weighted mean of
>4.50- 5.00 and verbally interpreted as Strongly Agree . Fish Size, Fish Supply and
Demand and Fish Quality and appearance, are rated 3.50-4.49 and interpreted as
Agree. However Fish preservation are also rated 3.20 and interpreted as Neutral.
Results of the Pearson correlation test indicated that the size and price of Purse-eye
scad (r = 0.3640, p=0.00), Mackerel scad (r = 0.5745, p=0.00), Skipjack Tuna ), (r =
0.3451, p=0.00), Yellowfin Tuna (r = 0.4151, p=0.00), have a statistically significant
relationship. The direction of the relationship is positive (i.e. size and price are positively
correlated), meaning that these variables tend to increase together (i.e. bigger size is
associated with higher price). However, Frigate Tuna (r = 0.0224, p=0.418) shows that
there are no significant relationship. The magnitude, or strength, of the association is
medium (0.3 < r < 0.5), based on Cohen (1988), meaning that the two measurements
are moderately correlated.

INTRODUCTION

Fish is a healthy food, rich in quality animal proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids
especially the (ω)-3 eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid and
micronutrients. In addition, fish are more available and affordable than other sources of
animal proteins in tropical countries. Aquaculture, which is one of the fastest growing
food production sectors, could play a big role in eradicating hunger, malnutrition and
nutrient-deprivation globally. However, nutritional information on fish is necessary for
utilization of fish in achieving nutritional security and will be helpful in prioritizing species
for aquaculture (Anandanb, 2017). Fishery resources are an important source of
proteins, vitamins and micronutrients that are not available in such quantity and diversity
either in crops or in other animal products. They represent circa 17% of animal protein
consumed by many low-income populations in rural areas (Fernandes et al., 2016). As
an agro-based country, the contribution of fisheries to the national economy has always
been essential and as the primary source of animal protein, employment opportunities,
food security, foreign earnings and socio-economic development (FRSS, 2017).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The researcher use of descriptive – survey method using researcher-

questionnaire as an instrument in gathering data. . The questionnaire composed of
questions that categorized in which address the understanding the status of local
fishery. Informal interview and observation were made to verify data and to ascertain
the respondents answer. Respondent of the study were the total fish vendors at China
Town Market in Koronadal City. Researcher used Probability Distribution method to
determine the species composition, size distribution, prices and factors that contribute
to the price fluctuation in China Town Market. The collected data will be analyzed per
species and presented using table and graphs. A template or model for species
composition, size distribution, volume and pricing will be developed to conveniently and
easily enter the data that will be subjected or analysis.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A total of 26 species were identified, belonging to 16 families. The family with the
most number of species was Scombridae, with 5 species followed by Carangidae with 4
number of species.
 This graph shows the sizes of the abundant fish species within 5 months of
sampling from the month of December 2022- April 2023. In marine species, it presented
that the average size of Purse-eye scad from the month of December was 18.83 raised
to 19.39 from January and raised to 21.11 by February increased to 21.91by March and
decreased to 19.09 y the month of April. In Mackerel Scad the average size from the
month of December was 20.86 raised to 24.52 from January and decrease to 23.91 by
February increased to 26.26 by March and decreased to 22.47 by the month of April. In
Frigate Tuna the average size from the month of December was 18.31 raised to 22.07
from January and raised to 20.55 by February decreased to 17.54 by March and
increased to 20.51 by the month of April. In Skipjack Tuna the average size from the
month of December was 45.93 raised to 46.06 from January and down to 45.07 by
February decreased to 42. 64 by March and decreased to 42.63 by the month of April.
In Yellowfin Tuna the average size from the month of December was 42.70 down to
40.62 from January and raised to 42.32 by February increased to 44.36 by March and
increased to 42.81 by the month of April.

In aquaculture species the average size of Milkfish from the month of December
wa31.31 raised to 3.26 from January and decrease to 29.77 by February increased to
29.96 by March and decreased to 29.03 by the month of April. In Nile Tilapia the
average size from the month of December was 21.35 down to 19.03 from Januy, still
decrease to 18.88 by February increased to 20.52 by March and increased to 21.61 by
the month of April. While in freshwater species the average size of Catfish from the
month of December was 32.60 decrease to 30.00 from January and raised to 33.55 by
February and there are no Catfish sold in the market by the month of March and
decreased to 28.67 by the month of April respectively.

This graph shows the sizes of the abundant fish species within 5 months of
sampling from the month of December 2022- April 2023. In marine species, it presented
that the average size of Purse-eye scad from the month of December was ₱158.10
raised to ₱177.78 from January and decrease to ₱171.11 by February increased to
₱177.69 by March and decreased to ₱120 by the month of April. In Mackerel Scad the
average size from the month of December was ₱172.35 raised to ₱198.46 from January
and decrease to ₱147.83 by February increased to ₱196.88 by March and decreased to
₱156.36 by the month of April. In Frigate Tuna the average size from the month of
December was ₱125.00 decreased to ₱95.38 from January, continuously decrease to
₱82.94 by February, increased to ₱105.91 by March and increased to ₱148.57 by the
month of April. In Skipjack Tuna the average size from the month of December was
₱180.00 raised to ₱189.23 from January and still raised to ₱192.22 by February
decreased to ₱181.30 by March and decreased to ₱160.00 by the month of April. In
Yellowfin Tuna the average size from the month of December was ₱190.53 down to
₱183.33 from January and raised to ₱226.25 by February decreased to ₱188.33 by
March and increased to ₱204.00 by the month of April.

In aquaculture species the average size of Milkfish from the month of December
was ₱196.25 down to ₱173.00 from January and increase to ₱183.89 by February a
little decreasing to ₱183.04 by March and also decreased to ₱181.67 by the month of
April. In Nile Tilapia the average size from the month of December was ₱166.67 down
to ₱148.00 from January, increase to ₱ 166.36 by February increased to ₱166.67 by
March and decreased to ₱165.71 by the month of April. While in freshwater species the
average size of Catfish from the month of December was ₱170.00 decrease to ₱160.00
from January and raised to ₱185.00 by February and there are no Catfish sold in the
market by the month of March and decreased to ₱166.67 by the month of April
respectively.

Results of the Pearson correlation test indicated that the size and price of Purse-
eye scad (r = 0.3640, p=0.00), Mackerel scad (r = 0.5745, p=0.00), Skipjack Tuna ), (r
= 0.3451, p=0.00), Yellowfin Tuna (r = 0.4151, p=0.00), have a statistically significant
relationship. The direction of the relationship is positive (i.e. size and price are positively
correlated), meaning that these variables tend to increase together (i.e. bigger size is
associated with higher price). However, Frigate Tuna (r = 0.0224, p=0.418) shows that
there are no significant relationship. The magnitude, or strength, of the association is
medium (0.3 < r < 0.5), based on Cohen (1988), meaning that the two measurements
are moderately correlated.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The researcher would like to extend her deepest gratitude to the following who
inspired her to strive hard and made this study possible.

First and foremost, praises and thanks to God Almighty, for his showered
blessings, guidance, and protection throughout this research and successful completion

The researcher would like also to express gratitude to her research adviser Prof.
Ronald Sombero for providing supervision and support during the course of her study.
The researcher would also like to thank him for imparting his empathy, patience and
knowledge. It was a great honor and privilege to study under his guidance.

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