DENR to lift moratorium on fish pen operations

MANILA, Philippines -  The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) will issue new permits to fish pen operators in January with the lifting of the one-year moratorium on fish pen operations, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) clarified yesterday.

DENR Undersecretary for legal affairs Ma. Paz Luna said the moratorium was implemented under a board resolution signed by former environment secretary Gina Lopez and LLDA general manager Jaime Medina, chairman and vice chairman of the LLDA, respectively.  

The resolution stated that fish pens and other aquaculture structures in the lake had increased, depriving small fishermen of their source of livelihood.

“There was no order issued during (Lopez’s) time concerning fish pens. A moratorium was issued and is being observed until now. It will be lifted in January next year,” Luna said.

The LLDA said they would give priority to small fishermen by allowing them to operate in 60 percent of the area to be allotted for aquaculture.

“We are talking here of around 22,000 fisherfolk,” said Medina.