The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) emphasized the importance of protecting the West Philippine Sea (WPS) citing its impact in the overall integrity of the country’s marine resources.
“There is an interconnectivity of marine resources and whatever damage experienced in the WPS will have an impact to nearby oceans. We need to preserve the WPS so as not to compromise the sustainability of resources there,” said Nazario Briguera, BFAR spokesperson, at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public forum yesterday.
Briguera said there are 300,000 registered fishers from the Philippines in the WPS.
BFAR also said around 11 percent of the country’s marine captured fisheries also comes from the WPS.
The agency also emphasized that the government has been providing support to affected fisher folks in the WPS especially for livelihood activities.
Briguera said at present, fishermen are not being stalled despite China’s declaration of a unilateral fishing ban in the disputed area.
He said China has no basis in detaining fishermen in the WPS by June 15.
BFAR said the agency will be guided by the directions set by the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea.
Earlier, the Chinese coast guard issued an order authorizing its personnel to detain foreign boats and its crew that are in the West Philippine Sea for charges of trespassing.
“If China proceeds with that (detainment of fishers), it means another violation as it has no basis under any international law. We always say that the sovereign rights of the Philippines is strongly anchored in the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),” Briguera said.
