June 3, 2024

 

Sharp decline in Philippine fish production amid environmental challenges in West Philippine Sea

Fish production in the Philippines has plummeted by 60% - 80% due to marine environment degradation and unfavourable fishing conditions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.

 

Dr Jonathan Anticamara of the University of the Philippines (UP) Institute of Biology revealed these statistics despite the government's efforts to expand its fishing capabilities.

 

Anticamara said government agencies provided thousands of boats and ships, yet these were just lying around.

 

Scientists attribute the decline to coral destruction and overfishing in the South China Sea. Since 2011, parts of the South China Sea within the western section of the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) are referred to locally as the West Philippine Sea to assert the country's sovereign rights there.

 

China claims sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, despite a July 2016 international tribunal ruling that invalidated such claims. This has led to the construction of artificial islands and routine harassment of Philippine fisherfolk and government vessels operating within the Philippine EEZ.

 

Dr Laura David, director of the UP Diliman-Marine Science Institute, reported significant coral degradation due to reclamation activities in the West Philippine Sea, calling for accountability as the damage was not just local.

 

Mischief Reef, seized by China from the Philippines in 1995, has seen the construction of artificial islands, causing extensive coral damage. In September 2023, the Philippine Coast Guard reported coral reef damage at Sabina Shoal and Rozul Reef, attributing it to China, which denied the accusations.

 

Retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio suggested that the Philippines could sue China over the environmental damage to the corals.

 

David also pointed out the overfishing problem in the South China Sea, as the Philippines' neighbours are not only interested in natural gas, but also the fish to feed their population.

 

The impact of overfishing and environmental degradation is evident, with the number of “fish families" in the West Philippine Sea declining from 34 to 22 over the past 20 years. David noted that the effects of activities in the South China Sea impact all neighbouring countries, with the Philippines feeling the most significant effects.

 

To address these issues, Anticamara called for intensified marine research in the West Philippine Sea. He stressed the lack of comprehensive data on the maritime resources of the area.

 

However, research efforts face challenges. In March, China Coast Guard vessels harassed Anticamara and other research teams conducting extensive coral reef and fishery resources assessments in the West Philippine Sea.

 

-      Philippine Daily Inquirer