
Chinese fisherfolk have been using cyanide in Bajo de Masinloc to intentionally destroy the traditional fishing grounds of Filipino fisherfolk, an official from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said on Saturday. Parts of the resource-rich lagoon has been destroyed, said Nazario Briguera, chief information officer of the BFAR.
Briguera estimated that the damages caused by the cyanide fishing could exceed P1 billion. However, the BFAR has yet to conduct a formal study on the matter. The West Philippine Sea lies within the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines, a claim already backed by the Permanent Court of Arbitration way back in 2016.
BFAR said that this is a “serious concern,” especially since it could also kill off developing fish larvae and corals. According to data from the government, around 385,300 rely on the West Philippine Sea for their livelihood. They catch around 275,520 metric tons of fish each year, which is equivalent to 6% to 7% of the country’s fisheries sector.
Attack on humanity and destroying the natural habitat of the sea creatures Philippine Coast Guard’s spokesperson on the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela likewise said that China’s latest action on Philippine waters could be seen not only as an attack on Philippine sovereignty but also humanity.
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