Factors Affecting the Market Price of Fish in the Northern Part of Surigao Del Sur, Philippines

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The study focused on the factors affecting the market price of fish in the northern part of Surigao del Sur, Philippines. The study also attempted to find a significant difference among the identified factors affecting the market price of fish. The respondents of the study were the fishermen, middlemen, fish vendors, and consumers of the six (6) identified coastal barangays in northern Surigao Del Sur namely: Linintian, Magosilom, San Pedro, Consuelo, General Island, and Ayoke.

METHODS

The researcher-made questionnaire was the tool used in the study. The researcher-made questionnaire was composed of questions categorized into four (4), one for each of the intended respondents: fishermen, middlemen, fish vendor, and consumers. Each question category contained competencies based on the Local Ordinance No. 2-2008 Section 6 for Selling and Buying Strategies of Fish, which addresses the identified factors affecting the market price of fish. Informal interviews and observation were made to verify data and ascertain the validity of the respondents' answers. Mean and ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) was used to quantify and analyze the gathered data.

RESULTS

Based on the findings of the study, among the five (5) identified factors affecting the market price of fish, the quality of fish, as a factor, was found to greatly affect the market price of fish while water pollution was considered as the lowest factor affecting the market price of fish. Furthermore, it was found that all the five identified (5) factors cited in the study had significant contributions to the formulation of the market price of fish in the northern part of Surigao Del Sur.

DISCUSSIONS

The result conveyed that there is a significant difference in the factors affecting the market price of fish. The significant differences on the factors affecting the market price of fish in the northern part of Surigao del Sur vary from the different effects which contribute to the price formulation of the fish in the same region. This means that the market price differential is dependent on the varying factors, which include the quality of fish, fishing location, weather condition, water pollution, and price demand. These factors give a significant influence on formulating the market price of fish when there is a high purchasing power of consumers, abundant fish population inaccessible fishing areas, weather conditions, and water pollutions.