A government research and development council here has earmarked P4.89 million for the implementation of a research and development project to curb the population of a predatory fish species in Laguna de Bay. Scientifically named Chitala ornata, it is regarded as “invasive” because it attacks important fish species, particularly tilapia, in the 90,000-hectare freshwater take. This drew the concern of the Los Baños-based Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), which allocated P4.89 million for the implementation of the R&D project titled “Assessment and implementation of catch and management strategies for the invasive knifefish in Laguna Bay.”

Fernandez, R. (2018, September 6). P5-M R&D to curb ‘invasive fish’ in Laguna lake. The Philippine Star, p. B6.