WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • MARCH 2026 39 governance (Green et al., 2003). Adapting similar strategies in Lake Sampaloc would involve training fisher-folk to monitor invasive Flowerhorn cichlids, evaluate water quality and pollutant inputs including runoff from tilapia pens, and document trends in native fish populations. Institutional mechanisms such as Barangay Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Councils (BFARMCs) and local CRM offices already exist in lakeside communities, creating a foundation for integrating traditional ecological knowledge with systematic monitoring approaches. To operationalize this framework, practical components could include weekly Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) logbooks maintained by fisher-folk to track Flowerhorn and Jaguar cichlid abundance in open waters, monthly 50 m x 5 m shoreline litter transects at fixed points to assess waste accumulation and its impact on water quality, and quarterly pen biosecurity audits using standardized checklists to ensure containment measures, such as mesh integrity, over-top netting, and overflow barriers, are effective. Incentivizing and empowering fisher-folk participation through recognition programs, livelihood benefits, or co-management arrangements can strengthen regulatory compliance, promote stewardship, and enhance enforcement of sustainable aquaculture and invasive species control measures. Invasive Alien Fish Species Management Strategies The restoration of Yellowstone Lake provides a compelling model for managing invasive fish populations and mitigating their ecological impacts (Koel et al., 2020). In this case study, systematic interventions, including targeted removal of invasive lake trout, habitat monitoring, and community engagement, were employed to protect native Yellowstone cutthroat trout and restore ecosystem balance. The study focused on the effectiveness of combining scientific monitoring with adaptive management strategies, such as prioritizing high-risk areas for removal and continuously evaluating population responses. Importantly, Koel et al. (2020) emphasize that invasive fish control requires sustained effort over multiple years, with integrated approaches that balance ecological goals, stakeholder involvement, and long-term monitoring. For Lake Sampaloc, these lessons are particularly relevant. Flowerhorn cichlids together with Jaguar cichlids, like lake trout in Yellowstone, dominate certain habitats and disrupt native species. The Yellowstone experience urges the need for coordinated, long-term, and evidence-based management strategies, ranging from community-based harvesting to aquaculture regulation, pollution mitigation, and ongoing ecological monitoring, to curb the proliferation of Flowerhorn cichlids while supporting local livelihoods. Applying these principles could enhance the resilience of Lake Sampaloc’s ecosystem and ensure the persistence of its native fish assemblages. Utilizing Invasive Biomass as Economy-Based Aquafeed The practical harvesting and utilization of Flowerhorn cichlids alongside Jaguars in Lake Sampaloc offers a strategic opportunity to mitigate ecological harm while supporting sustainable aquaculture With institutional backing, strategic coordination, and continued ecological monitoring, this framework could deliver multiple benefits: reduced invasive fish density, economic stimulation, improved feed sustainability, and indirect support for native biodiversity recovery. Over time, such interventions, when combined with responsible aquaculture practices, can strengthen both the resilience of Lake Sampaloc’s ecosystem and the economic security of surrounding communities, even under persistent invasive fish dominance. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 40) FIGURE 9. Juveniles of Flowerhorn cichlid (Amphilophus spp.) and Jaguar cichlid (Parachromis managuensis) harvested by a visiting Laguna local, reflecting the coexistence of the two species. Photo: H.N. Gasmen. FIGURE 10. Despite its endangered status, Ayungin (Leipotherapon plumbeus) continues to be caught for market sale. Photo: H.N. Gasmen.
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