Monday, June 23, 2008 [ philstar.com ]
Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Jose L. Atienza intends to closely “look over the shoulders” of local government officials in Batangas, Laguna and even Metro Manila to ensure the removal of fishpens and fish cages that are crowding Laguna de Bay, Taal Lake and Manila Bay.
Atienza said the removal of fishpens is going “very slowly” and that only the small structures are being dismantled.
“Only the small fishes are being caught while the bigger whales are getting away,” Atienza lamented.
He has already assigned DENR Assistant Secretary JayJay Yambon to monitor on a daily basis the removal of the fishpens and fish cages in Laguna Lake so that there will be an accurate accounting of the dismantled structures and fish-farming operations.
On the other hand, Atienza expressed satisfaction in the progress in Taal where removal operations had started since June 12.
He insisted the fishpens in Taal are “obstructing the free flow of water and is polluting a protected lake.”
The fish farming activities in Taal, likewise, are adversely affecting the endemic species of maliputo and tawilis he added.
Aside from Laguna and Taal, Atienza also stressed the need to start removal operations in Manila Bay.
The DENR head pointed out that the number of fishpens in Manila Bay has mushroomed and now stretches from Paranaque to Manila, and may soon be in front of Roxas Boulevard.
He warned of the “anarchic attitude” of fishgrowers wherein “anybody can put up a fishpen anywhere,” citing the destruction of vital mangroves in Pampanga and Bulacan.
According to Atienza, he does not want Taal Lake to become another Laguna de Bay which is now choking with too many organic and chemical pollutants.
“The fish cages must be removed as these contribute to the deterioration of the lake. The chemical content of feeds fed to the fishes being raised there has greatly contributed to the degradation of Taal Lake’s water quality,” he said.
Atienza is also opposed to the creation of a Taal Lake Authority to regulate the activities in the lake.
Allowing the creation of such a bureaucracy, Atienza said, would only aggravate the problem and lead to the same dire situation now facing Laguna de Bay.
He said he prefers a complete removal of all fish cages and fishpens in the volcanic lake and restore it to its pristine condition.
“With help and support of local executives, our common quest to protect the environment and conserve and utilize sustainably the country’s natural resources will be attained,” he added.
Atienza pointed out that a mud-like taste has been observed in fishes caught in Taal due to the increasing presence of chemical nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus.
Last November, Atienza called for the phasing out of fish cages in Taal Lake and all other major water bodies in the country.
Atienza’s directive is in line with the agency’s mandate to promote the preservation of Taal Lake, Calabarzon largest protected area.
Taal Lake is the natural habitat of the endemic tawilis, the world’s only freshwater sardine, and the maliputo fish species
Atienza’s vision calls for a total approach to environmental protection along with employment opportunities and this requires the support of all sectors of society, most especially local officials.
“Taal Lake is a declared protected landscape, and therefore, we must protect it by all means from human activities that would cause its degradation,” Atienza said.
Taal Lake, which has a surface area of 24,356 hectares, is the country’s third largest lake, next to the Laguna and Lanao lakes.
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