Aerial view of Laguna Lake captured via UNTV drone.
Laguna Lake is now shallower than it was decades ago.
Laguna Lake Development Authority General Manager Neric Acosta says sediments from 11 major rivers around the lake has left only 1/4th of its original depth.
“The siltation problem is big. The problems of erosion. The mud is bad for its ecosystem. Its average depth now is just 2 ½ meters. In the 80’s it used to be 12-10 meters,” Acosta said.
Based on a study conducted by the LLDA, the lake contains high level of heavy metals like mercury and lead.
Acosta says around 50-60% of fish supply in Metro Manila and nearby provinces comes from the lake.
“Heavy metals were detected like mercury, lead. But they are still considered safe,” Acosta assured. “But there is a warning that if we don’t do anyhthing about it. We have what we call bioaccumulation. Heavy metals persist in fish, in water, in air and in human. If we eat heavy metals, it accumulates in the human body.”
(READ ALSO: LLDA begins demolition of thousands of fish pens, cages in Laguna lake)
At present, the knifefish, which started to become a problem in 2102, can still be found in the lake.
If a knifefish weighs at least 1 kilo. It means it has probably fed on about 7-8 kilos of other fish like silver perch.
“We are doing harvesting with the DSWD’s 4Ps program. The people themselves harvest knifefish eggs attached to bamboos of fishpen and fish cages.”
Laguna Lake’s rehabilitation plan will be announced this month. — Rey Pelayo / UNTV News & Rescue
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