Saving the endangered tawilis is not only about preserving the species but also the livelihood of fisherfolk on Taal Lake who depend on them.
In the latest episode of Siyensikat which aired on October 16-17, Dr. Ma. Vivian Camacho, the station manager of the UPLB Limnological Station and associate professor from the Animal Biology Division, talks about the breakthroughs of their research project on tawilis. We also meet two Taal Lake fishers, Roger Angue and Milo Napa, from Talisay, Batangas who have been experiencing declines in their fish catch.
Tawilis is the world’s only freshwater sardine that is endemic to Taal Lake but was declared endangered in 2019. Its population has been dwindling because of overfishing but the 2020 eruption of Taal Volcano has further raised concerns. “I hope there’s a solution,” says Napa. But it seems that hope is just around the corner as the recent crisis has prompted the Department of Science and Technology to fund Camacho’s research with great urgency.
The UPLB Limnological Station is committed in conducting research to increase the tawilis population through captive breeding
-Ma. Vivian Camacho
Camacho’s team has made headlines by successfully collecting and rearing tawilis at the UPLB Limnological Station. The project has had its challenges, particularly in increasing the survival rate of tawilis and determining its specific environmental requirements. Camacho is hoping that her team will eventually develop the protocols for captive breeding of tawilis that not only will save this prized fish from the brink of extinction, but also share the knowledge to the local community of Taal Lake and help fishers like Angue and Napa. “The UPLB Limnological Station is committed in conducting research to increase the tawilis population through captive breeding,” says Camacho, “so we can help the local community and fisherfolk in Taal Lake establish backyard fish farming as a source of livelihood.”
Siyensikat is a magazine reality show that aims to popularize science and innovation to Filipinos. The show airs on CNN Philippines every Saturday and Sunday at 8 AM and 4 PM. Episodes are uploaded at CNN Philippines’ YouTube channel.
