RP to declare fishing ban in Scarborough to boost claims

The government is eyeing the adoption of a tougher policy, including a fishing ban, in the disputed Scarborough Shoal off Zambales amid reports of increasing Chinese presence in the area.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Lauro Baja Jr. said the preventive measures may also involve naval search and rescue exercises in the area to discourage poaching by Chinese fishermen.

Baja said foreign affairs officials are set to discuss the matter with the Cabinet Cluster E which is in charge of national security issues.

Authorities have reported that marine resources at the Scarborough Shoal, disputed by the Philippines and China, have been severely damaged by illegal fishing methods such as the use of dynamite and cyanide.

Relations between the two countries have been continually strained with both countries swapping diplomatic protests regarding their conflicting claims.

"We should stop the ping-pong protest. If China is imposing a fishing moratorium in some areas in Scarborough, why can’t we?" Baja noted.

Beijing has unilaterally declared a fishing moratorium in some parts of the contested shoal.

Baja said even former Chinese Ambassador Fu Ying has admitted that the number of Chinese fishermen in the area has increased tremendously and that their government had difficulty controlling them.

Fu, currently head of the Chinese foreign ministry’s Asian division, disclosed that their government has started looking for alternative sources of livelihood for their fishermen so they would stop going to the shoal.

Baja said Manila would also explore possible areas of cooperation with China to avoid further destruction of Scarborough Shoal. "There are other non-controversial and non-political means to address the problem, but I think no one can oppose the idea of having a moratorium for conservation of the living resources in the shoal."

Baja said the issue might also be raised during a meeting of experts from both countries on confidence-building measures slated in Manila on April 2.

The experts group was formed after it was discovered that China had built concrete structures on the disputed Mischief Reef.

Baja also clarified that the projected ban would cover even Filipino fishermen.

On the other hand, foreign poachers arrested in the area may be charged with illegal entry, illegal fishing and violation of the International Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Two weeks ago, the Philippine Navy seized more than 50 pieces of the endangered giant clam locally called taklobo and several sacks of its meat from at least 10 Chinese fishing vessels apprehended at Scarborough Shoal.

The Navy also confiscated nine boxes of electrical blasting caps, time fuses, dynamite sticks and cyanide believed being used by the Chinese fishermen.

While Manila filed a diplomatic protest over the alleged Chinese encroachment, Beijing also protested the apprehension of their fishermen even as it vowed to investigate the alleged illegal fishing activities.