Assessment of local government's implementation of open access policy in Taal Lake, Philippines: its effects on aquatic resource conservation and management

The effects of local government's implementation of the current national policy on open access in municipal fisheries are assessed in terms of their impact on the fishery resources of Taal Lake in the Philippines. The lake is the third largest lake in the country and has high economic value for its fisheries and eco-tourism potentials. Local officials and fisherfolks were interviewed and their responses were analyzed for trends in perceptions on how local open access policies affect fishing practices and productivity in the lake. A policy matrix containing certain areas of concern of local governments related to sound decision-making on lake fishery was designed. A SWOT (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis was conducted to serve as basis for recommendations to improve the sustainability of fisheries in the lake. The study shows that local government implementation of open access policies in Taal Lake trend to have negative effects on the lake's fisheries. Open access allows for the unregulated entry of fishing practices like fish cage culture which tend to increase the pollution load on the lake. Pollution due to fishcaging seems to even exceed loads from domestic wastes and agricultural run-off. The incomes of small fisherfolks unable to afford fishcages have declined because of dwindling catch from capture fishery; this, while fishcages flourished in the lake. It is recommended that national government agencies (e.g. DA, BFAR, DENR) should forge an agreement with local governments for a continuing assessment of fishery resources in Taal. This needs to be coupled with technical assistance to undertake sustained efforts to improve the conservation, productivity and management of the lake's aquatic resources. There is also a need to increase the budgetary allocations for new research and extension activities to address problems and issues of the fishery sector in the lake and for upgrading the capability of local and sectoral policy and decision makers of the lake's fisheries