Switzerland-based International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has been accused of economic sabotage for listing Sardinella Tawilis, the only freshwater sardine in the world, as an endangered species, stakeholders said. The United Stakeholders of Taal Lake, which includes fishermen, vendors, restaurant owners and residents of communities surrounding Taal Lake, has “strongly condemned” the IUCN’s report in a position paper. IUCN said in its report that Tawilis, which is endemic to Taal Lake, has become endangered “due to overexploitation, pollution, and predation with introduced fishes, resulting in continuing declines in habitat quality and number of mature individuals”.

Miraflor, M. B. (2019, February 6). Int’l body accused of economic sabotage for listing Tawilis as endangered species. Manila Bulletin, p. 2.