The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Bfar) and a national scientist on Thursday joined the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in expressing “grave concern” over the destruction of marine resources caused by the reclamation activities of China in the West Philippine Sea.
The Bfar, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, and University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute Professor Emeritus and National Scientist Dr. Edgardo D. Gomez presented a comprehensive study on the damage inflicted to marine biodiversity and economic productivity by China’s increased militarization in the region.
Titled “The Destruction of Marine Resources in the West Philippine Sea,” the study presented during a news conference included satellite photos that showed the massive and irreversible damage by China’s reclamation activities in several coral-reef ecosystems, including, but not limited to the Burgos Reef (Gaven Reef) and Kagitingan Reef (Fiery Cross Reef), which are both part of the disputed waters.
As of March 2015, reef ecosystems destroyed in Spratlys, or the Kalayaan Group of Islands, have already reached an estimated area of 311 hectares.
“Healthy coral reefs in the West Philippine Sea are very important not only to us but also to the productivity of neighboring marginal seas made possible through larval connectivity,” Gomez said.
According Gomez, the Spratlys’ coral-reef ecosystem services, or both the direct and indirect contribution of the ecosystem to human well-being, amount to $350,000 per hectare per year. That is a total of $108.9 million of annual economic losses to countries around the South China Sea, which China claims wholly based on its nine-dash-line principle.
Aside from the construction of military bases in the West Philippine Sea, he said the poaching of giant clam shells, corals and other marine species by Chinese fishing vessels has repeatedly caused damage to the area’s ecological balance.
Illegally harvested shells are brought to mainland China, particularly to its Hainan province, where they are processed and sold as various coral crafts, shell bracelets, shell necklaces and mounted shell carvings.
Meanwhile, Bfar Director and concurrent Agriculture Undersecretary for Fisheries Asis Perez said the “unabated” destruction of coral reefs affects at least nine fishing municipalities along the country’s western seaboard. That is equivalent to more than 12,000 people who directly rely on fishing for income. Total combined volume of catch in these regions is estimated at 21,186.8 metric tons based on the 2014 data of the Bfar’s National Stock Assessment Program.
“We urge China to respect its international commitments and be mindful of millions of people, not only in the Philippines, who depend on these very important marine resources,” Perez said.
“We cannot allow China’s reclamation activities and tolerance of environmentally harmful fishing practices to continue as these endanger global food security and long-lasting biological diversity,” he added.
Previously, the DFA has called on China to stop its reclamation activities in the West Philippine Sea, which not only compromises ecological balance but also “threaten peace and stability in the region.”
The Department of National Defense (DND) earlier said the “earth-moving activities” being undertaken by the Chinese government in the disputed West Philippine Sea may undermine the country’s fish supply.
DND Spokesman Peter Paul said the area where the reclamation is now ongoing is a breeding ground for local fish and is a major source of fish for commercial fishermen.