Publications

Estimation of Fish Biomass in
Laguna de Bay Based on Primary Productivity

(A special study conducted for the Environmental and Natural Resource Accounting (ENRA) Subprogramme of the Integrated Environmental Management for Sustainable Development (IEMSD) Programe of UNDP which was subcontracted to Dr. Milagrosa R. Martinez-Goss, an Associate Professor from the Institute of Biological Science (IBS), College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), University of the Philippines at Los Baņos (UPLB), Laguna)

Phytoplankter have long been used as indicators of water quality and index of the productivity of any given water resource. Their small size and short life cycle enable them to respond quickly to environmental changes, hence, their standing crop and species composition are more likely to indicate the quality of the water mass in which they are found. They influence certain non-biological aspects of water quality (such as: pH, color, taste and odor), hence they are part of water quality.

Phytoplankton productivity is the common and important factor being considered in determining the overall status of a given body of water. This is because they are found at the base of an energy chain or food chain, being the basic source of primary food in a given aquatic system. Hence, information on their contribution is essential in indicating how much biomass energy will be available to all other living resources in the system.

Therefore, this study aims to relate primary production to fishery production in Laguna Lake with the following specific objectives:

1. To prepare a substantial review of related literature on the primary production of the lake
2. To provide estimates of primary productivity of Laguna Lake over time
3. To provide estimates on the potential fish yield from the open water of Laguna Lake over time
4. To provide estimates of fish biomass from open water of Laguna Lake over time.