Letter to the Editor — Typhoon ASEAN

The ASEAN is currently promoting and selling the concept of a "Roadmap to Fisheries Integration." The Fisherfolk Movement-Philippines believes that this is an illustration of the desperate attempt of ASEAN governments to systematize the flow of capital and goods and cooperation amongst ASEAN member countries in the fisheries industry.

It is clear that the document "Roadmap" does not serve the interests, or the welfare of the artisanal fisherfolk all over Southeast Asia.

First, it is becoming more evident that management of fisheries resources is not among the priorities of the ASEAN. The ASEAN is only concerned on how to ensure the smooth and free flow of imported fish products in its member countries. This is reflective of the Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary at Hazard Analysis Critical Point provisions that both aim to monitor if exported and imported products pass quality and safety control standards.

Second, no fishery law or policy at the regional level was indicated in the "Roadmap" document. In the event that the implementation of laws concerning the fisheries sector in any of the countries in the region is still very weak and even laws/policies which are still being formulated are likewise ineffective, the flooding of imported fish products, vessels and capital will continue to drown the already helpless fisherfolk, domestic market and industry.

Third, it is obvious that the only sector which has a stake in the "Roadmap" document is the private or commercial sector primarily or mostly engaged in commercial fishing and aquaculture. Not even a single organization or group of the artisanal fisherfolk was consulted on ASEAN discussions regarding the fisheries sector, its issues and demands. The artisanal fisherfolk cannot rely on the private sector to defend and struggle for their rights and welfare versus the huge profits that capitalists will gain from these agreements.

Lastly, this framework only follows the worldwide trend of strengthening aquaculture methods and strategies as a primary tool to develop the fisheries industry in most ASEAN member countries and in the process lead towards barrier-free and smooth trade of fish products amongst ASEAN nations. In the final analysis, the document "Roadmap" is only a regional translation of the Non-Agricultural Market Access agreement being imposed by the WTO to developing countries such as the Philippines wherein the fisheries and other products such as auto parts, etc. are included.

The ASEAN and WTO Bring Two Consecutive Typhoons to the Fisheries Sector

It is as if two consecutive typhoons have hit the artisanal fisherfolk as intensified trade liberalization measures continue to affect and create significant impacts to the fisheries industry and other marginalized sectors as well.

Firstly, fisheries resources are significantly diminishing while environmental degradation continues due to foreign and local commercial fishing, while the production of artisanal fisherfolk remains backward, small-scale and individualized.

Secondly, the artisanal fisherfolk cannot compete with the low-cost yet high-quality imported fish products because their small-scale and low-technology production leads to high-priced fish products sold in domestic markets.

Domestic subsidies remain a major issue amongst the Southeast Asian artisanal fisherfolk. If we are to compare the subsidy support (loans, post-harvest facilities, gasoline discount, etc.) being provided annually by developed countries such as Japan ($2.9 billion), US ($863 million) and China ($700 million) versus the limited or no subsidy support provided by the ASEAN governments to their artisanal fisherfolk only reflects the depressing state of the artisanal fisherfolk in particular and the fisheries industry in general.

Foremost among the aims of the artisanal fisherfolk in the rescheduled ASEAN Summit this January 2007 is the close cooperation and strengthened unity of ASEAN member countries on issues affecting the artisanal fisherfolk such as fisheries resource management and protection of livelihood.

This runs counter to its theme of "One caring and sharing regional community." The "ASEAN Roadmap to Fisheries Integration" does not complement the main theme of the ASEAN Meeting.

The Fisherfolk Movement-Philippines (Kilusang Mangingisda) and other groups or organizations of artisanal fisherfolk in Southeast Asia submit that the ASEAN governments should always defend and uphold the interests and welfare of the artisanal fisherfolk in any covenant or discussion concerning the fisheries industry.

The Fisherfolk Movement-Philippines likewise asserts that artisanal fisherfolk all over Southeast Asia should have one voice against the impositions of WTO Director General Pascal Lamy on the ASEAN. Lamy is expected to convince the ASEAN to come up with a declaration similar to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) supporting major WTO agreements amidst disruptions in WTO talks due to the vehement opposition of developing nations on unequal and unfair trade and practices.

The fisheries sector is actually the last frontier for food and livelihood security of majority of the peoples of Southeast Asia. In a period when the capitalists and the system in general continues to exploit and deplete this specific resource, defending and upholding the rights and welfare of artisanal fisherfolk in the region and elsewhere in the world is timely, fair and even crucial to the survival of humanity.

Fisherfolk Movement-Philippines