The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has finished the clearing of the 24,000-hectare Taal Lake in Batangas province of illegal fish structures.

DENR-Region 4A (CALABARZON) Executive Director Nilo Tamoria said the Tanauan City side of the 24,356-hectare Lake was cleared of 30 fish cages and four fishpens illegally operating in the lake.

The demolition of fish structures was carried out by the DENR-CALABARZON and Batangas provincial government, with the help of local fisherfolks belonging to the Kilusan ng mga Maliliit na Mangingisda sa Lawa ng Taal (KMMLT).

The fisherfolk organization has been blaming the presence of fishpens and fish cages in Taal Lake for their declining catch in the past years.

According to DENR’s Protected Area and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), the Lake’s endemic species, which include the "tawilis" and "maliputo," are already under threat of extinction primarily because of "overexploitation" of fishery resources.

PAWB also cited the introduction of non-native species cultured in fishpens, such as tilapia as one of the causes of extinction of the endemic species in the lake.

It also explained that fishes are attracted to the light fixtures installed at fish cages luring them to go inside the structure which uses fine-mesh nets.

The nets also trap fingerlings and small fish of endemic species resulting in the dwindling daily catch of fishermen in the area, PAWB said.

DENR-Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer for Batangas City Laudemir Salac pointed out that none of the demolished structures were issued with a permit by the Tanauan City government.

Citing an inventory of fish cages conducted by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources last March, some 9,223 fish cages were operating within Taal Lake. (Ellalyn B. De Vera)