Sustainable development of Philippine lake resources: An agenda for research and development

Abstract

There are 59-70 lakes in the Philippines. With the exception of Laguna de Bay and Lake Taal, little is known about Philippine lakes although they contribute as much as 15% to the total annual fisheries production of the country. There is need for an integrated basin approach for the sustainable management of Philippine lake resources. Among the research strategies recommended for sustainable management of Philippine lakes are: (1) studies on lake fisheries resources - fish stock assessment, effects of fishing and other human activities on lake productivity, the biology of major aquatic species, and the carrying capacity of lakes; and (2) lake management studies - the rational use of lakes, strengthening management, enforcement and institutional mechanisms, and socio-economics focused on the users of lakes.