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Taal Lake: A Protected area Crying in Distress
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by francisrivera | January 7, 2009 at 05:57 pm
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Taal Lake, It has been long famous that this site offers one of the best views in the island of Luzon in the Philippines. Every Filipino knows that the Taal Volcano & the Taal Lake are areas that one individual born Filipino can boast other countries besides the nice beaches in the country.
It is also home to the endemic species tawilis, the world’s only commercial freshwater sardine, and duhol, one of the only three freshwater sea snakes in the world.
But slowly the lake declared a protected area is now slowly destroyed by hundreds of fish cages all over the lake. Not only does this destroy the view of an amazing site, the continued building of fish cages are also rapidly consuming the fish population of the tawilis and other fishes found only here.
Thousands of fish cages now litter the lake, marring the view. It is estimated that Taal Lake is host to over 9,000 fish cages, which can sometimes make the water seem scarce.
Some 1,500 people directly get their income from these fish cages. These fish farms, in turn, provide food for those living in Calabarzon (Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon), and Metro Manila.
But experts warn that aside from being an eyesore, the unregulated fish cage operations at the world-famous lake are killing it. Overstocking and overfeeding have caused harmful algae to bloom, causing fish kills.
Ironically, Taal Lake is a declared protected area since 1996. This declaration notwithstanding, fish cages continue to mushroom in the lake.
Some other problems distressed by those concerned are the swine cages by the coast, which are disposing pig waste on the lake. Another is the use of cheap non-floating fish feeds that sink at the bottom, that when not consumed by the fishes destroys what's down there.
DENR is eyeing a 2 year ZERO fish cage program for the lake, a hard task to perform due to the fact that this is one of the sources of income of locals.
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at 18:27 on January 7th, 2009
I've been there, I've seen it, It's such a shame seeing it like that.
at 01:27 on January 8th, 2009
Thank you for bringing this to our attention Francis. This is an environmental disaster. Did any one contact the Government and what is their stand on it? especially since it is supposed to be protected.
at 13:10 on January 8th, 2009
Yes, they are already notified and I am keeping my eye on this one for developments. Thanks Paschen!
at 01:50 on January 8th, 2009
You might find the above blog on Taal Lake and conservation initiatives therein useful. We are now undertaking public consultations in each town with territory inside the protected area (13 towns and 3 cities) for a new management plan, hoping that once consensus is built on a plan, we can all move together in the same direction.
at 13:03 on January 8th, 2009
Thanks for bringing this in to our attention.
at 15:05 on January 9th, 2009
Very interesting! '''''francisrivera' Thanks very much for posting.... :D
at 01:13 on March 7th, 2009
at 15:08 on April 10th, 2009
The Philippine government should be strict in implementing regulations to save Taal Lake. Our natural resources must be protected for future generations. People should stop being selfish.