SCIENCE_11_2T_2018-2019 | Discarga – Reyes – Saet – Saludes – Mataya – Siruno

University of the Philippines Open University

THE DWINDLING
POPULATION OF
SARDINELLA TAWILIS
IN TAAL LAKE

Cluster 1, Group 7

Dominick Discarga, Leader

Fleurdelis Reyes, Rapporteur
Jyan Isabelle Saet, Opinion Seeker
John Darwin Saludes, Initiator-Information Seeker
Marianne Mataya, Evaluator/Critic
Nika Patricia Siruno, Energizer

SCIENCE_11_2T_2018-2019
Living Systems: Concepts and Dynamics
SCIENCE_11_2T_2018-2019 | Discarga – Reyes – Saet – Saludes – Mataya – Siruno
University of the Philippines Open University

The current issue on the decline in the population of

Sardinella Tawilis sparks the interest of our group to
study the biodiversity of Taal Lake, where this fish
species is endemic. Formerly known as Bombon Lake,
the Taal Lake is the third largest freshwater lake in
the Philippines. The lake's circular freshwater is home
to unique marine species including the only sea
snakes or the Philippine freshwater sea snake
(Hydrophis Semperi), finfishes, crustaceans, mollusks,
maliputo, and other organisms.

In January 2019, The International Union for the

Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has placed sardinella
tawilis on the list of endangered species, where this
group discussion and report is anchored. Our efforts
aim to explore the different possible issues that affect
the decline in the population of sardinella tawilis and
its impact on the biodiversity of Taal Lake and the
ecosystem as a whole.

To thoroughly discuss the topic, our group decided to meet online. However, due to some technical issues,
the team voted to meet in person instead. Our discussion revolved around three strategic points, the
causes of the dwindling population of sardinella tawilis, its impact on the Taal Lake biodiversity, and the
livelihood of the people living in the area.

Our group agreed that water pollution due to improper solid waste management, the secretion of
wastewater from real estate developers, overfishing with the use of illegal gears, feedlots and other
agricultural operations were some of the reasons in the change of the Taal Lake biodiversity, which resulted
to the declining growth of sardinella tawilis in the lake. Several other readings and references were
presented by members to support each finding. To streamline all our sources, each team member was
asked to list all their references in bullets as well as the key points that they would like the team to discuss.
The team members were given 48 hours to list down all items. And each member was given the opportunity
to discuss their output with all the members of this group following their bulleted points of information.
One of the most notable points of our discussion is the addition of Tilapia and Bangus cage farming in Taal
Lake as one of the primary reasons for the decline in the population of sardinella tawilis. As pointed out by
one of our members, the overcrowding of intensively-fed fish cages affect growth, fish health conditions,
and survival of sardinella tawilis in the lake. However, this was immediately refuted by another member by
explaining that the continuous decline on the amount of sardinella tawilis catch in the lake is primarily
attributed to overfishing and increased pollution of the area because of overpopulation. It was noted that
Batangas province has a population of 1.9 million in 2000, growing by 3% per annum, according to the
National Statistics Office (NSO) 2000. Census of Population and Housing: Province of Batangas. Though
acknowledged, the team noted that the cage farming of Tilapia and Bangus is a minor contributor in the
dwindling population of sardinella tawilis in Taal Lake due to the vulnerability of these fishes to parasite
infestations which is a common fish disease of cultured fish in the tropics.
SCIENCE_11_2T_2018-2019 | Discarga – Reyes – Saet – Saludes – Mataya – Siruno
University of the Philippines Open University

Our Learning

The different materials and

references that our team
members presented and
discussed in the past week
suggest that several issues
affect the dwindling
population of sardinella
tawilis. Our consensus agrees
to the findings of The
International Union for
Conservation of Nature
(IUCN) that:

"there has been a steady

decline in the catch of the
commercial fish since 1998
due to overfishing, illegal use
of active fishing gears,
increasing use of fish cages,
and the deterioration of the
water quality in Taal Lake
located in Batangas."

Tawilis Fishery of Taal Lake contributes to reducing poverty in Batangas by providing direct employment.
Our team realized that government intervention is necessary to conserve and implement measures against
unlawful environmental acts such as illegal fishing and improper installation of the sewage system in the
area. Also, the government is expected to launch continuous improvements and access to the preservation
of sardinella tawilis that is endemic in the country. Most of the materials and inputs shared by the team
during our face-to-face session are of considerable intellectual content and interest; indeed, all of us have
shown great interest to the majority of them. However, in trying to answer, "what our group has learned
from the discussion," it would seem best to list them down in a shorter and more oriented list.

First, we have learned to conduct research analysis in a manner that is reasonable to both academic and
our teammates; This is important because it helps us digest our chosen materials and references by
considering the understanding of our teammates on the topic.

Second, we have learned that teamwork and delegation of reading materials are critical to a deeper
understanding of our chosen topic. Having a topic with so many references and insights to study on, it
helped us better articulate all narratives and data by identifying key team members that can focus on
specific research areas.

Finally, disagreements create a strong sense of understanding and learning. During the course of our
discussion, we have realized that we must open ourselves for critics as they usually ignite new ideas,
instigate learning, and challenge current findings.
SCIENCE_11_2T_2018-2019 | Discarga – Reyes – Saet – Saludes – Mataya – Siruno
University of the Philippines Open University

Sources

National Statistics Office (NSO) 2000. Census of Population and Housing: Province of Batangas

Kabata, Z. 1985. Parasites and Diseases of Fish Cultured in the Tropics. London: Taylor and Francis

Rhodina Villanueva (The Philippine Star) - January 25, 2019 - 12:00am Retrived from:
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/01/25/1888027/taals-tawilis-now-endangered-
list#cdjkQI1E7LkV6AoY.99

Krissy Aguilar, January 24, 2019, Retrived from: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1076875/tawilis-now-on-

the-list-of-endangered-species#ixzz5iQpM3AzK

Pollution of the Ocean by Sewage, Nutrients, and Chemicals, Retrieved from:

http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/Po-Re/Pollution-of-the-Ocean-by-Sewage-Nutrients-and-
Chemicals.html#ixzz5iQpZcWXv

Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity, Tawilis, Retrieved from:

https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/ark-of-taste-slow-food/tawilis-2/?fbclid=IwAR11yT6zT-
hzgJrj2BHjr2xnN-csNXRwNfKcOn_8HgrFEiwc1IOi-COy5dU

Jonathan L. Mayuga, February 6, 2019, Taal Lake stakeholders debunk IUCN report on vanishing ‘Tawilis’,
Retrieved from: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/02/06/taal-lake-stakeholders-debunk-iucn-report-on-
vanishing-tawilis/?fbclid=IwAR22c0CH0Q7PKu8Q__-7WlzNarHq3YlR3l1tnuSmhNF3AEW313gIJQmqJJQ

Jonathan L. Mayuga - March 5, 2016, Saving the rare ‘tawilis’, Retrieved from:
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2016/03/05/saving-the-rare-tawilis/?fbclid=IwAR22-
gfIQT6dDa2UTr2sdQV1XPpmaClEYqLz4Jkhukbnp4_ySBmvEQuIDS8

Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III, NEW FINDINGS ON THE TAWILIS OF TAAL LAKE, Retrived from:
http://agriculture.com.ph/2018/05/14/new-findings-on-the-tawilis-of-taal-
lake/?fbclid=IwAR3Y1zP3tVF_JSQZl59r4RdZTlle92EnjU424fXkwkahvTUC42C7B-YqhUE

Maricar Cinco - Reporter, February 10, 2019, Time running out for Taal Lake’s ‘tawilis’? Retrieved
from:https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1083798/time-running-out-for-taal-lakes-tawilis#ixzz5iQqwrNuB

Mercene-Mutia, Ma. Theresa, 2001, Assessment of local government's implementation of open access
policy in Taal Lake, Philippines: Effects on lake conservation and management. Retrieved from:
https://repository.seafdec.org.ph/handle/10862/830?fbclid=IwAR1Tqe7q7UuTCGBlQeaVlBO1PlieFlfZ-
j0SgC2SQhkQu5F9B3wsxUXpBRc

Arnell Ozaeta, October 22, 2006, Taal Lake tawilis faces extinction. Retrieved from:
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2006/10/22/364295/taal-lake-tawilis-faces-
extinction?fbclid=IwAR2rPmtwMChxhWwL2l0IfSawoAfGmUcJUysqNGiKS_cdYRm7sjbZOs9dbxg#RXvcM9Y
IHxvmHBu5.99

Catalina Ricci S. Madarang, January 24, 2019, ‘Tawilis’ of Taal under threat of extinction due to pollution,
overfishing, Retrieved from: http://www.interaksyon.com/trends-spotlights/2019/01/24/142811/native-
tawilis-taal-lake-threat-extinction-pollution-overfishing/?fbclid=IwAR1jTNcPVwDta-
xIjapD90tdbZ6RRC_eeDa8i2-1TPQz6jrZWFC_ppFZ3RA
SCIENCE_11_2T_2018-2019 | Discarga – Reyes – Saet – Saludes – Mataya – Siruno
University of the Philippines Open University

Appendix