MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Calabarzon reminds the public that the closed fishing season for tawilis remains in effect until April 30.
Thus, the agency urges the public to report restaurants or establishments selling the endangered freshwater sardine endemic to the Philippines.
Sardinella tawilis is the only freshwater species of Sardinella and is found exclusively in the waters of Taal Lake in Batangas.
READ: Fishing ban eyed to save the Philippines’ endangered ‘tawilis’
This is to allow the fish to breed as it is listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to its red list of endangered species.
Tawilis, commonly known as Bombon sardine, is facing major threats such as “overexploitation, pollution and competition or predation with introduced fishes, resulting in continuing declines in habitat quality and number of mature individuals,” according to the IUCN.
The Philippine Society for Freshwater Science (PSFS) expressed support for the implementation of the closed fishing season for the endangered freshwater sardine set by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) from March to April.
READ: Scientists Support the Closed Season for Tawilis from March to April
The group also supports the implementation of a proper mesh size and establishment of sanctuaries within the Taal Lake. – Marje Pelayo
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