The report proposals (UN, 1970) for fishery development are presented in Volume 5 as follows:
| Part | I | Laguna Lake fishing Diking off a small cove (Looc fish corral) Floating net cages Netting off Central Bay Stocking the whole lake |
| Part | II | Lumban fish pond |
| Part | III | East Bay reclamation |
Under Part I, the Looc fish corral, described in paragraph 2.3.1, is presented as a hypothetical example. Subsequently, the corral was constructed and stocked by the LLDA and the harvest is going on at the present time. This corral, at least in principle, is in accord with the basic strategy presented in paragraphs 3.1 and 3.5. Subject to further experimental work on improved corral design, addition of breakwater wave protection, obtaining of current harvest data and improved species stocking, the project is considered an important element of development.
An installation of floating cages, patterned after development work in Japan and at
Auburn University, as described by Schmittou (1969), is proposed. The fish culture in
floating cages is based on a high density population entirely dependent on prepared feeds.
These feeds have a high protein content and very high food conversion ratios of 1.3 to
1.6 to 1. Assuming the stocking to be channel or Manila catfish, the wholesale price might
be 
5.00 to 6.00 per kg. A local formulation feed is not available now. The cost of
imported high protein feeds would be about $300 per t, or about 2 per kg in the Philippines.
With a conversion ratio of 1 to 1.6, the cost of feed alone would be 3.20 per kg. From
the United Nations report, the cost of operation would be about 1.00 per kg, so that the
total cost would be about 4.20 per kg or, updated to allow for inflation, about 5.00 per kg.
Thus, there would be no profit margin. In addition, the introduction of an improved species
of catfish has a real hazard of bringing in fish diseases that could affect other species.
The problems of developing both the culture and marketing of a suitable catfish species
are so extensive as to not warrant priority consideration at this time and certainly not
with a beginning by constructing expensive floating cages. Again pilot experiments should
be initiated at the proposed experimental station on fish culture of the local species of
catfish on locally produced feeds and to determine production costs. After this, a decision
should be made on floating cage construction.
The Lumban project (Part II) would reclaim 152 ha of swampland for fish pond development.
High production, “standard accelerated and multiple sequence” ponds would be
utilized to obtain yields of 4 to 5 t/ha. Back-up facilities to provide fingerlings would
be provided. The overall capital requirement would be 3.3 million and unit construction
cost would be in excess of 15 000 per ha. The project would serve as a pilot for the
proposed East Bay Fish Pond Reclamation which would reclaim a lake area of 3 720 ha for a
much larger version of the Lumban development and take seven years to construct. The
overall capital requirement would be 75.5 million and the unit costs in excess of
20 000 per ha.
Both of the projects are far too ambitious for the general state of the industry at this time. The yields of 4 to 5 t/ha must first be substantiated with pilot work, as the production claims far exceed any known output in the Philippines. Further, the construction costs appear to have been underestimated and there is an obvious need to consider a less expensive alternative, i.e. the proposed fish pens earlier discussed.
In all of the species combinations proposed in the United Nations report, the common carp has been excluded. This species is essential as a bottom feeder. Too large a percentage is proposed of the Chinese carp species of silver and bighead. For a recommended species combination, see paragraph 3.3.
The Central Bay proposal would block off with nets and barricade a 21 000 ha portion of Central Bay for intensive stocking with fingerlings. A second proposal would stock the entire lake. Both proposals would raise the estimated harvest from 0.4 t/ha to an estimated 2 t/ha. The report recognizes that there would be major socio-economic problems in management of the suggested improved lake fishery and proposes organization of fishery cooperatives. However, a more fundamental question is whether the improved yields of 2 t/ha could be realized. Until established by aquaculture experiments, it appears premature to consider large-scale stocking of the lake and related development activities.
The Authority's preliminary programme is presented in Appendix 1. This programme is under consideration by the LLDA. In general, the programme is well planned and should yield progressive findings to foster fishery development on the lake. The elements of the programme are:
Establish and operate a combined fish hatchery and experimental station:
for aquaculture in natural waters
Introduction of desirable species
Organize and establish fishery cooperatives.
With respect to item (a), it is suggested that major efforts should be directed toward utilization of natural waters. There are many common areas between land-based ponds and natural water studies. Basic experiments on rearing should be initiated in the experimental station or in pens. Floating net cages and fish pen development are presented for immediate, concurrent action in the LLDA programme. However, these are basically different concepts and should be separately considered. For reasons set forth in paragraph 4.1.2, the floating net cages are not recommended as an initial development for fish rearing. The cages could be tried as a floating nursery for fingerlings based primarily on natural food utilization.
The introduction of Carassius carassius is not recommended because it does not have a specific role that is not better performed by other species recommended in the species combinations.
The hybridization of Tilapia nilotica and T. mossambica is not necessary, because the pure culture of T. nilotica will produce desired locally saleable sizes of both sexes in six months. The Iotaluras punctatus (channel catfish) is not recommended for reasons already set forth in paragraph 4.1.2.
Both the LLDA and the United Nations reports propose extensive organization of fishermen's cooperatives. Care should be taken not to encourage cooperatives for aquaculture until adequate data and results are known from the pilot programmes. In addition, sources of fingerlings should be established. The proposed pen developments in adequately sheltered waters, possibly in combination with ducks, could become a partial substitute for lake fishing. In any programme for cooperatives, provisions should be made for corresponding and continuing extension services to monitor and assist the cooperatives.
