Conclusion
The researchers have come to conclude that Lake Buhi is not only an important place for livelihood, transportation, and tourism, but also a diverse ecosystem that serves as a major habitat of our Sinarapan.
The fish is accustomed to an ideal environment where it can live and breed best that’s why it is not popular in many parts of the world. Considering that Sinarapan is especially sensitive to sudden environment changes, fish kills are not surprising anymore. When they are exposed to a polluted environment, they die.
The community is not aware of the effects of their apathy to the lake. Industrial wastes are the top contributors to Lake Buhi’s destruction. Even though most of the residents who were interviewed denied littering, the researchers have witnessed the truth about those who threw their garbage directly into the water. Others even bathe and wash clothes in it. Domestic wastes flowed through streams and rivers in the municipality where a number of them lead to Lake Buhi.
More than ten fish species continue to exist in the Lake. This tells us that Sinarapan has many competitors in terms of survival. The study also proved that the said fish serves as prey to other bigger fish, making the issue of its population collapse a more serious one. As of now, Lake Buhi is already a highly critical area for biodiversity.
Fishing, just like farming, contributes much to the economy of the Municipality of Buhi. In fact, about 60% of Buhinons depend on the lake as a source of their living. The fish cage technology in the place dates back to the 1980’s. Even then, Lake Buhi has been exploited by local and nonlocal fisher folks. The degradation continues up to now as more and more people (native to the town or not) gain interest in the fishing industry in the community for business and profitability.
The Republic Act 8550, an important law enforced to help minimize the degradation of Lake Buhi’s water quality, has been enacted several years ago. Even so, the law has not been properly observed.
There are also issues such as the compadre (close ally) system between fisher folks and government authorities. Some of the fish cage operators receive special treatment during dismantling procedures because of close relationships with the officials. Others even manage to escape the penalties by falsely reporting the number of fish cages that they own. Consequently, there is a weak implementation of ordinances. This proves that the LGU does not have full control on the operations.
The LGU has also imposed many other municipal ordinances concerning Sinarapan and Lake Buhi. On the contrary, it is poorly disseminated across the community. Lack of funds is also a cause of the delay of law implementation in the Municipality.
Furthermore, the researchers have cleared out the confusion between Pandaka pygmaea and Mistichthys luzonensis Smith by the end of the study. Pandaka pygmaea is known as the world's smallest fish but since this fish is inedible and toxic, Mistichthys luzonensis Smith or locally known as Sinarapan holds the title “world’s smallest commercial fish" as recorded by the Guiness Book of World Records.
Recommendation
Our study has embraced the mind-boggling truth which has unfolded as we took a closer look at the issue. Based from our findings, we have drawn out conclusions and have arrived at suggestions which can help in the conservation of Sinarapan.
For the people, a systematic waste disposal program must be developed to prevent garbage from wandering about near Lake Buhi. Doing so will prevent contamination of the lake and will decrease fish kills in the area. Also, the local government should organize a proper resettlement for the inhabitants residing near the lake as well as an immediate relocation for the town’s public market since they are the major contributors of pollution to the lake. The LGU must make sure that every fish cage owner has a permit and is closely monitored. A strict implementation of the programs for the lake should be observed. Furthermore, conducting seminars can be done to disseminate information in the community since it was found out that many of the locals are unaware of proper fish cage management.
Non-government organizations (NGOs) may also be tapped by the LGU as partners in their campaigns in saving the Sinarapan. The national government should also take part on the movement started by the LGU.
The team also recommends that further researches be done to find better ways in conserving the lake and repopulating Sinarapan.
Since Sinarapan is a pride of Bicol, we should not wait for the time that this species will come to extinction. We need to do something now for the sake of the future generation, and for a greener tomorrow ahead of us. Sinarapan may be a gift from God, but if we take them for granted, surely it would be taken back.
Thus, the whole community and local government must share resources and work together for the common purpose: to preserve Sinarapan.