Tawilis, tilapia from Taal Lake safe for consumption, says gov’t

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DA spokesman Arnel de Mesa clarifies fish caught in Taal Lake do not consume human remains

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources stressed that fish from Taal Lake is safe for human consumption, after fears amid developments from the missing sabungeros case reportedly caused a decline in fish sales.

“We repeat, we echo BFAR’s statement: it’s safe to eat fish from Taal Lake,” DA spokesman Arnel de Mesa said in a mix of Filipino and English on Friday, July 18.

De Mesa said BFAR’s focus now is to remove this fear of consumption to protect fishers’ livelihood from further harm. He explained that tawilis (Sardinella tawilis) primarily eats planktons, while caged tilapia eats commercial feeds, and maliputo (giant trevally) eats other fish species.

“It doesn’t eat decaying matter,” De Mesa noted.

Following reports that the bodies of 34 missing sabungeros were dumped in Taal Lake, fish sales have slowed down and fishers’ livelihood had been affected. Authorities have recently retrieved remains during their search in Taal Lake. Whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan named ten police officials and personnel who she alleged were paid to kill the sabungeros and dump them in the lake.

As part of their efforts to appease the public, De Mesa said BFAR and local government officials, together with fishermen and traders, will conduct a “boodle fight” next week to demonstrate that Taal Lake fish is safe to eat.

Tawilis is endemic to Taal Lake, which means the freshwater sardine can only be found there. It is considered the most important commercial fish catch from the lake.

– Rappler.com