By Bhaby De Castro
The popular sardine Tawilis and other types of fish found in Taal Lake are safe for human consumption, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Calabarzon said amid claims that the bodies of missing sabungeros or cockfighters were thrown into its waters.
BFAR Calabarzon Regional Director Sammy Malvas emphasized that tawilis, along with other commonly consumed fish such as tilapia and bangus from the lake, are safe to eat.
According to Malvas, tawilis typically stays in shallow waters and feeds on plankton, making it unlikely to consume any decaying matter.
“Maraming isda ang nahuhuli sa Taal Lake, at pangunahin na rito ang tawilis. Ito ay tinatawag na planktivore o isdang kumakain ng plankton o maliliit na organismo, kaya’t wala itong posibilidad na kumain ng nabubulok na bagay,” he explained.
He added that tilapia and bangus are both cultured in fish pens and are fed with commercial feeds.
Malvas also clarified that maliputo, another fish species found in Taal Lake, is a carnivore but not a scavenger, as it feeds on small fish rather than decaying organic matter.
He emphasized that the public should not be alarmed by allegations that fish from Taal Lake are unsafe to eat due to reports that the remains of missing cockfighters were allegedly dumped into the lake.
The BFAR Calabarzon has also intensified its information campaign to combat misinformation on the safety and quality of fish harvested from the lake.
Meanwhile, Nelson Faminiano, a fisherfolk from Sta. Teresita, Batangas said their sales have not been affected by the circulating claims. He noted that vendors continue to buy their catch in bulk.
“Kami pong mangingisda ng tawilis ay wala namang napupunang pagbawas ng bilang ng mamimili nito, sapagkat lahat ng aming huli araw-araw ay ubos agad at pinapakyaw ng mga mag-iisda,” said Faminiano.
Tawilis is an endemic fish species found only in Taal Lake. Tawilis-fishing is prohibited from February to April each year to allow the species to reproduce.
