Tanay Declaration During 2nd National Forum on Invasive Fishes

We, the participants of the Second National Forum on Invasive Fishes themed “Mapaminsalang Dayuhang Isda Pigilang Makawala sa mga Ilog at Lawa” held at Punta de Fabian Resort, Tanay, Rizal on May 26-27 hereby declare the following recommendation for immediate action

1. Create a Task force to package the action plan for proper management of Invasive Fishes (IF) in-congruence with existing IAS Action Plan of DENR

• Promote/encourage updating of data base from information IF database by stakeholders 

2. Review the existing policies regarding the entry, handling and management of IF

3. Package the National R & D Program for IF

4. Extensive analysis on economic impact of potential species for introduction including attendant cost on ecosystem services

5. Intensify information education and communication (quad media) campaign on IF

6. Strengthen partnership among concerned agencies and stakeholders on all aspects of IF

7. Come up with the list of prohibited fishes for blacklist to include high risk species already in the country and are/or reported to be invasive in other countries

8. Conduct strict and continuous monitoring and surveillance of aquarium petshop in the country to ensure that no illegally introduced freshwater fishes are being disseminated 

9. Register commercial aquarium fish petshop with the BFAR through the local government unit which provide them with business permit 

10. Commercial aquarium fish establishment to be held responsible or liable for possible deliberate or accidental “escapees” A surety bond for such purpose may be imposed

11. Strengthen manpower and facilities of BFAR/FRQD to carry out more functions effectively

12. Register commercial aquarium fish petshop with the BFAR through the local government unit which provide them with business permit 

13. Commercial aquarium fish establishment to be held responsible or liable for possible deliberate or accidental “escapees” A surety bond for such purpose may imposed

14. Strengthen manpower and facilities of BFAR/FRQD to carry out more functions effectively

15. Conduct ecological impact studies and research on mitigation measures for the control and preventive spread of IF now causing problems in Laguna de Bay, Lake Taal and Agusan Marsh and other inland water bodies. 

16. Launch a massive IEC campaign to drum up the negative impact of invasive fishes to drum up the negative impacts of IF and stir a public awareness on the need for responsible aquarium fish pet and environmental protection (quad media)

We hereby affirm the above recommendation by affixing our signatures: