21/02/2019
TAWILIS – Bonbon Sardines (Sardinella Tawilis)
The tawilis (Sardinella tawilis) is the only freshwater sardine in the world. It is found in Taal Lake (Batangas), the third largest lake in the country with an area of more than 66,000 hectares and average depth of 60 meters (m). Belonging to the family Clupeidae, the fish was landlocked with the formation of Taal Volcano, about 100,000 years ago, which separated the body of water from the sea.
The tawilis provides an important commercial fishery in Taal lake, according to Maria Theresa Mercene-Mutia, chief of the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute’s Fisheries Biological Center in Butong, Taal, Batangas. There are more than 2,000 fisherfolk in the 9 municipalities with 70 barangays who solely depend on fishing in the lake for their livelihood.
It was found that the tawilis became sexually mature with a total length of 11.6 cm for females and 11.2 cm for males. The fish bred throughout the year with peak seasons in February to April and July to September.
The Great Decline
In 1984, the reported total catch of tawilis in Taal Lake by researchers was 29,000 metric tons (mt). The total catch of the fish dropped to 822 mt in 1994-95 and only 294 mt in 2000. The major cause of the drastic decline in the tawilis catch of the fisherfolk in the lake is overfishing, wherein the rate of human exploitation of the fish surpassed the ability of the fish to replenish itself. The illegal use of trawlers and “superlights” to attract the fish at night in the past almost wiped out the species.
A document from the DENR-Calabarzon revealed that numerous Philippine researchers have noted a significant decline in the catches of tawilis since 1998. They estimate that harvest has declined by about 49% over the past 10 years.
Endangered
According to the IUCN's assessment, "within Lake Taal, there are major threats to fish diversity and this species due to overexploitation, pollution, and competition and/or predation with introduced fishes, resulting in continuing declines in habitat quality and number of mature individuals."The assessment was done on February 28, 2017, with results published in 2018.
"Fishing effort using illegal gears which target this species in the lake is increasing, but at this time the rate of increase has not been quantified specifically, so it is inferred that the population has declined by at least 50% over the past 10 years, which qualifies it for Endangered".
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Calabarzon said it will conduct intensive monitoring of the Sardinella tawilis population in Taal, Batangas.
Trivia- Jose Rizal used three dried tawilis in his novel Noli Me Tangere to symbolize the Three Martyred Priests of Bagumbayan (Jose Burgos, Jacinto Zamora and Mariano Gómez)
Be part of the Sagip Tawilis 'Run For A Cause'!
Happening on March 23, 2019 at Pblacion Taal, Batangas.
Together, LET US MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Visit the link below, to show your interest to join! See You There!
https://www.facebook.com/events/396363211196344/?event_time_id=396363214529677
