Hawlawa

Hawlawa: A Video Documentary on Fish Cage operations in Taal Lake, Talisay, Batangas

by Marcella Orellana and Rhicaella Parayray

ABSTRACT

This qualitative study examined the impacts of fish cage operations in Taal Lake, Talisay, Batangas among various stakeholders, specifically the fish cage operators, fish cage caretakers and fisherfolks. It is guided by Political-economy theory by Karl Marx and Cultural Studies theory by Stuart Hall, which were used to investigate the meaning-making and actions of the various stakeholders. Lastly, the findings in the study were placed in the public sphere through a video documentary using the Public Sphere theory by Jurgen Habermas. The issues and concerns of the stakeholders were revealed through in-depth interviews regarding fish cage operations in Taal Lake, Talisay, Batangas.

Although fish cage operations provide livelihood and food to the coastal community, it nevertheless, pose several environmental threats such as oxygen depletion, eutrophicatiob and water quality degradation on Taal Lake. Many of the stakeholders are not fully aware of the risks that fish cage operations pose.

There are many underlying issues in the fish cage operations that need to be uncovered. The researchers recommend studies that will look into the intervention of technology in the fish cage operations to make it environment-friendly and the development of information campaigns on the proper practices on fish cage operations.