CLOSED SEASON This fisher, in this undated photo, is among those who benefit from the abundance of 鈥渢awilis,鈥� a freshwater sardine endemic to Taal Lake, a local delicacy. But the months of March and April are 鈥渃losed season鈥� for tawilis fishing to ensure its conservation. 鈥擫aurel Municipal Agriculture Office
LUCENA CITY, QUEZON, Philippines 鈥� The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has announced the annual two-month ban on 鈥渢awilis鈥� (Sardinella tawilis) fishing in Taal Lake, Batangas province.
In a statement posted on its official Facebook page on Monday, the DENR in Calabarzon (Region 4A) Protected Area Management Office鈥揟aal Volcano Protected Landscape confirmed that the fishing ban will run from March 1 to April 30.
Catching, selling, trading, transporting, or engaging in any transactions involving tawilis during this period is strictly prohibited, with violators facing corresponding penalties, the DENR-4A warned.
In 2018, the International Union for Conservation of Nature classified tawilis as an endangered species, prompting the implementation of the two-month 鈥渃losed season鈥� to protect and preserve the species.
The closed season coincides with the peak spawning period of the tawilis, which is endemic to Taal Lake. A female tawilis can produce up to 18,000 eggs per spawning season, but the fish typically grows to only about 12.7 centimeters (5 inches) in length.
READ: 鈥楾awilis Patrol鈥� joins scientists in effort to save prized Taal fish
During the fishing season, authorities only allow traditional fishing methods in Taal Lake, such as gill nets, spear guns, and hook and line.
Illegal methods
Illegal fishing methods, including the use of trawls, dredgers, and fine mesh nets, are strictly prohibited. Trawling disrupts the natural lake bed habitat, damaging fish-spawning grounds and affecting bottom-dwelling plants and animals. Dredging also destabilizes riverbanks and further destroys the lake鈥檚 ecosystem.
Other threats to tawilis survival include environmental pollution caused by the proliferation of fish cages and the excessive use of fish feeds, which eventually decompose and pollute the water.
Tawilis, the world鈥檚 only freshwater sardine, is a delicacy once known as the 鈥減oor man鈥檚 fish鈥� and remains a household staple in communities surrounding Taal Lake.
Its popularity continues to grow, with tawilis commonly served as a crispy, deep-fried dish in roadside eateries and upscale restaurants in Batangas and Tagaytay City, Cavite, which overlooks Taal Lake. The fish is also sold online as bottled sardines for both local and international markets.