The implementation of the closed season for tawilis in Taal Lake, as supported by scientist and different stakeholders, began in March this year. For the whole months of March and April, no catching of tawilis is allowed.

DENR CALABARZON received complaints of illegal commercial fishers all throughout the closed season from March 1 to April 30. This period is the most active spawning months for the tawilis based on the studies conducted by Associate Professor Alicia Pagulayan, M.Sc., from UST Department of Biological Sciences and Dr. Ma. Theresa Mercene Mutia from Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Both discussed the spawning season during the Tawilis Summit 2019.

As the closed season ended, Lito De Villa, a private citizen residing in TVPL,  is impressed with the increase in size of the Tawilis. “There is already some positive impact felt with the serious implementation of the closed season”,  De Villa added.  Tawilis  reserve areas are the next implementation challenge.

In addition to the enforcement of the two-month closed fishing season, The Taal Volcano Protected Landscape Protected Area Management Board (TVPL PAMB) is enforcing the strict compliances to the Unified Rules and Regulations for Fisheries (based on RA 10654, amending RA 8550  known as The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998) and the compliance with the eNIPAS Act within TVPL.  These include use of pesticides, waste burning, illegal discharge of wastewater, project implementation without ECC, and tree cutting without permit. ###