PHL moves to protect biodiversity in Benham Rise

The Philippines has just lodged decisive steps to preserve the ecological richness of a vast undersea region just off the coast of Luzon.

Benham Rise is a 13-million hectare undersea region located east of Luzon, is a biodiversity hotspot and the only known breeding ground of the critically-endangered Pacific bluefin tuna.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), are pushing for the protection and conservation of Benham Rise and its marine resources.

PHL granted claim over Benham Rise

In 2009, the Philippines lodged a full territorial claim to Benham Rise with the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.

The claim was granted in 2012, with Benham Rise granted to the Philippines as an extension of the country's continental shelf, some 350 nautical miles from the nation's shore.

Scientific basis for claim

In a forum at the University College of Law on Wednesday, April 13, National Mapping and Resource Information Authority Deputy Administrator Efren Carandang said that there is a scientific basis to the Philippines' claim to Benham Rise.

He According to Carandang, based on tectonic data, the seabed of Benham Rise fused with the island of Luzon some 20 million years ago.

"We were able to establish that indeed Benham Rise is very distinct from the deep ocean floor and shares morphological identity with the island of Luzon," Carandang said.

After several oral and written presentations, the United Nations granted sovereignity over the seabed to the Philippines.

Need for resource identification and management

For his part, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Undersecretary Asis Perez urged the government to explore and utilize the area's vast resources.

"The only actual evidence of ownership is utilization. Understanding what is there and plotting our ownership," Perez said.

He pointed out that the shallowest part of the rise, known as Benham Bank, is an important fishing resource.

"Ang pinakamababaw na bahagi ng Benham Rise, maraming marine species. Malaki po ang papel na ginagampanan ng Benham Rise sa pangisdaan," Perez said.

In their study, the BFAR found out a high catch rate for tuna and opah fish the area of Benham Bank.

Albacore and big-eyed tuna are the most common tuna species in the area, but pelagic species of tuna, dolphin fishes, barracuda and billfish may also be found there.

Perez said there is a need to protect Benham Rise as it is a home to the endangered Pacific Bluefin Tuna and the big eyed tuna. In fact, in surveys conducted in 2013 and 2014, the bureau found an abundance of eggs and larvae in the southern part of Benham Rise.

"Bakit natin tinitignan 'yung dami ng itlog? Gusto natin malaman kung saan nanganganak ang mga isda," Perez said.

He added that this is a step towards protecting certain species of fish.

"Kung makikita natin saan itong mga areas na ito, makakapaglagay tayo ng conservation management measures," Perez said.

Moves for conservation

Meanwhile, Criselda Castor, DENR-BMB said that several steps are currently being undertaken by the Bureau towards the conservation and protection of Benham Rise.

"The Bureau has no direct research mandate, but we are aware of the importance of research and scientific data, which will provide us good policy and decision. Under our comprehensive Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Rehabilitation Program, we have targeted baselinining and assessment of Benham Rise this year," Castor said.

Meanwhile, Jose Ingles, Program Coordinator of Fisheries Improvement Project Policy of World Wide Fund, said protecting the endangered species in Benham Rise is the country's global contribution to promoting biodiversity.

"Thorough understanding of the Benham Rise biodivesity is necessary before we utilize and the resources it has," Ingles added.

For Dr. Paul Watts, principle action researcher and facilitator for Daloy ng Buhay, the government needs to tap local government units (LGU) to engage fisherfolk, who are the major stakeholders in the issue.

"There should be an inclusive education programs for fisherfolks through LGUs," Watts said.

The event was organized by the University of the Philippines College of Law and Oceana, a global campaign to protect the seas. — TJD, GMA News