Philippines to dismantle fish structures in Laguna de Bay

The Philippines' Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have initiated its zero fish pens and fish cages policy, a move that angered a fishing group there.

The move will destroy an industry that produces cheap freshwater fish and stamp out the source of income of people who rely on the aquaculture industry in Laguna de Bay, said the group.

The Association of Laguna Lake Fish Producers and Fisher Folks Inc said 30 percent of fish consumption in Metro Manila came from Laguna Lake and the fish pens and fish cages support other industries, which include the fry and fingerling industry, nets and twines industry, and bamboo trucking industry and other businesses in the area.

Moreover, the DENR has not made any provision to replace the 36,000 kg of fish produced annually by the fish pens and cages that the policy will dismantle, the group said.

Environment Secretary Lito Atienza is pushing for the policy as he blames the structures for the massive flooding in areas in Laguna.

He said the floodwater could not flow to the sea due to the illegal structures in the lake.