Fishermen warn vs ‘coordinated’ fishing ban in West PH Sea | Inquirer News

Fishermen warn vs ‘coordinated’ fishing ban in West PH Sea

Fishermen warn vs ‘coordinated’ fishing ban in the West PH Sea

Fishermen in Masinloc town, Zambales province prepare to sail in the municipal waters. They are still reluctant to go back to their usual fishing ground on Scarborough Shoal because of the presence of the Chinese Coast Guards. | PHOTO: INQUIRER.net / Joanna Rose Aglibot

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales — The fisherfolk group Pamalakaya Luzon on Wednesday reiterated its call for the government to completely reject Beijing’s unilateral fishing ban covering the country’s territorial waters.

Bobby Roldan, vice chair of Pamalakaya for Luzon, told the Inquirer that there should be no room for any compromise, not even  coordination on fishing activities, that could embolden China to become more entitled over the country’s territory.

Article continues after this advertisement

“No amount of alternative source of income could equal the fishing livelihood of Filipinos in the resource-rich West Philippine Sea and its significant contribution to our local food security,” said Roldan.

FEATURED STORIES

Roldan also reminded the government that China “has no moral ascendancy to impose a fishing ban on the pretext of marine conservation,” noting that China is the one “destroying our marine biodiversity and ecosystem through massive reclamation, illegal poaching, and industrial fishing expeditions.”

“If there’s something that should be permanently banned in our waters, it must be China’s destructive activities,” Roldan added.

Article continues after this advertisement

On Tuesday, President Marcos told reporters in Quezon City that Manila and Beijing were making some progress toward a breakthrough in resolving their dispute over China’s annual fishing ban in the West Philippine Sea, which had been the bane of Filipino fishermen for over two decades.

Article continues after this advertisement

Marcos said the two sides had reached the point of having “coordination” on fishing activities despite China’s unilateral imposition of a fishing ban in the resource-rich waterway.

Article continues after this advertisement

Since 1999, Beijing has imposed a yearly fishing ban in the vast South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, or the parts within the country’s 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone (EEZ), despite a 2016 arbitral ruling recognizing the Philippines’ sovereign right to fish and explore for resources in those waters. INQ

RELATED STORIES

Article continues after this advertisement

PH, China make headway on ‘fishing ban’ – Marcos

Zambales fisherfolk resist China’s fishing ban | Inquirer News

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Pamalakaya urges gov’t to protest ‘China Coast Guard Law’ after Chinese …

lzb

For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.

TAGS: China aggression, Fishing, Pamalakaya, West Philippine Sea

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.