PRRM: Chinese 'overfishing' cause of declining fish harvests

The Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement has claimed that the “overfishing” of the Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is the cause of declining fish harvests.

In a statement, PRRM president Edicio dela Torre said the aggressive actions of Chinese fishing boats is one of the "major reasons" for the lack of supply and price increase of fish produced in the country.

The PRRM is a non-government organization geared towards food security and self-sufficiency for the country.

Earlier, the Department of Agriculture approved the importation of 60,000 metric tons of fish, including galunggong, in the first quarter of 2022 to boost local supply.

The fish importation plan is based on the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ projection of a potential supply deficiency of 119,000 metric tons due to the closed fishing season, with the sector “severely” affected by Typhoon Odette.

Dela Torre clarified that Filipino fishermen are not exactly prohibited from fishing in the WPS but that China is "fishing aggressively" and harassing fishers.

The Chinese commercial fishing vessels scoop up more fish than our local fisherfolk, he said.

"Malaki naman ang West Philippine Sea na tumingkad na lamang dahil nga sa kilos ng China na hina-harass ang mga mangingisda sa bandang Zambales coast. Ang WPS, meron din sa Palawan, pero dito sa Zambales talaga naging dramatic 'yan eh," Dela Torre said.

"Ang mas nauubos 'yung mga isda. Grabe mag-fishing ang Chinese commercial fishing boats," he added.

Meanwhile, he claimed that galunggong (Blue Mackerel Scad) that China has been exporting also comes from the Philippine seas.

“Hindi naman kinakain sa China ang galunggong. Kaya ang ibinibenta nila sa atin ay galing din sa atin,” Dela Torre said. —LBG, GMA News