Key trends:

• Preliminary figures indicate that overall purse seine fishing effort rose in December, with fishing intensity (fishing days/calendar day) increasing to the highest level in 2022.  Note that December figures may be adjusted as NFDs are processed.

• Total purse seine catch (EEZs+HS) fell in Dec, down by around 14% on the November catch.  Catch and effort remained concentrated in the west, with PNG and FSM collectively accounting for around 64% of total catch.

• Based on preliminary figures, fishing conditions deteriorated in Dec with overall catch rates down by 18%. Highest catch rates were in PNG and SB but as with catch rates in other EEZs were lower than in November.

• Reported transhipment volumes remained relatively stable in December, up by around 3% on the November figures.  Reported volumes were highest in PNG and FSM.  Note that transhipment volumes are not available for all vessels.

• Bangkok SKJ prices averaged $1,700 in December, similar to November prices, according to Thai Union figures. Singapore MGO price reduced to an average $949/mt in December.  The differential between BKK SKJ price and Singapore MGO price rose, but remained below the 10-year average.

• Amongst PNA Parties, all countries (except Tokelau) have now experienced major COVID community transmission events at some stage during the pandemic, although new daily case numbers are now low in each country.  Amongst key SE Asian processing countries, case numbers are at low levels relative to population size.