SEAFDEC contribution to the ecological awareness of Philippine Lakes
cemplrfa_p013-017.pdf (3.051Mb)Abstract
Since 1976 the Aquaculture Department of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC/AQD), through its Binangonan Freshwater Station has been continuously involved in research on various aspects of inland waters, with emphasis on Laguna de Bay. Lakes Paoay, Taal, Sampaloc and Naujan have also been studied to a limited extent. Research efforts focused on monitoring activities of various biological and physico-chemical parameters in the lake; pollution studies; improvement of practices towards an environmentally sound and sustainable aquaculture enterprise; socio-economic impacts of aquaculture on lakeshore communities and other related activities. The Department has been actively collaborating with various national and international agencies as well as non-government organizations in its effort, to improve its research capabilities. The research results have been published in both local and international scientific journals and proceedings.
Citation
Platon, R.R. (2001). SEAFDEC Contribution to the ecological awareness of Philippine lakes. In C. B. Santiago, M. L. Cuvin-Aralar and Z. U. Basiao (Eds.), Conservation and Ecological Management of Philippine Lakes in Relation to Fisheries and Aquaculture (pp. 13-17). Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Aquaculture Department, Iloilo, Philippines; Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines; and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Quezon City, Philippines.
Publisher
SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department; Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development; Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic ResourcesSubject
Type
Conference paperISBN
9718511539Related items
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Conference paper
Some limnological features of the northern shore areas of Volcano Island, Lake Taal.
- 2001 - SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department; Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development; Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic ResourcesPhysico-chemical and biological features of the northern shore areas of Volcano Island, Lake Taal observed at monthly intervals from four stations during the period 1994 and 1996 indicate varied microhabitats inhabited by a variety of plants and animals. Physico-chemical characteristics of surface waters were: temperature, 28-35°C; dissolved oxygen content, 3.5-6.2 ppm; pH, 7.5-8.9; salinity, 0-24 ppt; and conductivity, 1.6-4.3 S cm-1. Substratum types were mainly sandy with pebbles or rocks or sandy-muddy. Characteristic submerged plants were the eelgrass Vallisneria gigantea and filamentous green algae. In the eelgrass region, atyid shrimps, mostly Ciridina gracilirostris, commonly occur. Snails such as Melanoides costellaris and Terebia granifera were the most abundant benthic animals collected. Other invertebrates identified from core samples were Corbicula manilensis, annelids, crustaceans and chironomid larvae. -
Conference paper
An environmental assessment of the aquaculture potential of Lake Gawaan, Lake Lenneng and Lake Banao/Danum at the Mt. Province.
- 2001 - SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department; Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development; Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic ResourcesThis study reviews the existing conditions of the three Mt. Province lakes: Lake Gawaan, Lake Lenneng and Lake Banao/Danum. Three mechanisms were employed. First is the overview of the resource capabilities. This includes the geographical, physical and biological characteristics, as well as the identification of nearby communities and the possible market distribution channels. The physical characteristics are the watershed type, color of water, kind of shoreline, source of water, water fluctuation levels and transparency/turbidity. Biological and chemical characteristics comprise the primary productivity, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, pH, ammonia, and stock availability (catch composition, gear type, seasonal distribution and production rate). The second mechanism is the understanding of the limitations of the area and development prospects which could cater to the needs of the growing population. This tackles suitable aquaculture practices that may be adopted at the areas concerned in order to increase fish production at the Mt. Province. The last mechanism is to determine if the combined efforts of the non-government organizations, government agencies and other concerned groups could be improved to prevent a piece-rate resource development program. Results showed that favorable conditions for fish culture are present in the three lakes. Culture of fish in net cages and pens appears suitable for the lakes. -
Conference paper
Assessment of local government's implementation of open access policy in Taal Lake, Philippines: Effects on lake conservation and management.
- 2001 - SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department; Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development; Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic ResourcesThe effects of local government's implementation of the current national policy on open access in municipal fisheries are assessed in terms of their impact on the fishery resources of Taal Lake. Local officials and fisherfolk were interviewed and their responses were analyzed for trends in perceptions on how local open access policies affect fishing practices and productivity in the lake. A policy matrix containing certain areas of concern of local governments related to sound decisionmaking on lake fishery was designed. The study shows that local government implementation of open access policy in Taal Lake tends to have negative effects on the lake's fisheries. Open access allows for the unregulated entry of fishing practices like fish cage culture which tend to increase the pollution load in the lake. Pollution due to fish farming in cages seems to even exceed loads from domestic wastes and agricultural runoff. While fish cages flourished in the lake, the income of small fisher folk has declined because of dwindling catch from capture fisheries. It is recommended that national government agencies (e.g., Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Environment and Natural Resources) should forge an agreement with local government units for a continuing assessment of the fishery resources in Taal. This needs to be coupled with technical assistance to undertake sustained efforts to improve the conservation, productivity and management of the lake's aquatic resources. There is also a need to increase the budgetary allocations for new research and extension activities to address problems and issues of the fishery sector in the lake and for upgrading the capability of local and sectoral policy and decision makers on the lake's fisheries.
