Swarm West Philippine Sea, BFAR tells Pinoy fishers

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Friday urged Filipino fishermen to make their presence felt in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and benefit from the marine resources there.

In Chino Gaston’s report on “24 Oras,” BFAR director Eduardo Gongona said the flocking of the fishermen in the WPS should not pose any threat since they are there only to fish.

“Pero sa akin, hindi ko lang nakikita ‘yung diperensya doon. Pero baka naman nag se-send ng signal sa iba. But mas maganda ang tema ay pumapalot sila. Kahit na mag-swarm sila doon, ang importante kailangan nila mangisda para sa pagkain,” Gongona said.

(For me, I don’t see any difference there. But it may send a different signal to others. But it’s better for our fishermen to go out there are fish for their sustenance.)

BFAR data showed that seven percent or 300,000 metric tons of fishes caught yearly in the country come from the West Philippine Sea.

The agency further said this figure may increase, aiding in the food security of the country, which is still grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. and Armed Forces chief General Cirilito Sobejana earlier assured fishermen not be afraid when venturing into the West Philippine Sea.

Authorities also said vessels of the BFAR, Philippine Coast Guard, and Philippine Navy are already stationed in the area to ensure their safety.

However, a group of marine science experts said the government must first ensure that Filipinos are really safe if they decide to do so.

“Kung tama man ‘yung term na swarm. Parang ang dating doon ay parang binabala niya sa kanyon ‘yung mga Pilipino, no, ‘yung mga mangingisda,” Kim Gargar of the group Agham said.

“Alam naman natin kung gaano kalaki… ‘yung mga weapons at ‘yung mga kanyon nung mga Chinese,” he added.

(We all know how big… the weapons and cannons of the Chinese are.)

The group said the government should also focus on the capabilities and technology of the fishing industry in the country.  While it's not against the proposal, BFAR acknowledged the development of the industry needs billions in funds.

“‘Yung mga Chinese kasi may subsidy ‘yan ng Chinese government. Kaya makikita naman natin ‘yung mga barko nila malalaki, diba? ‘Yung mga gamit nila pangisda talagang world class,” he said.

(The Chinese has subsidy from their government. So we can see that their vessels are big, their fishing equipment are really world class.)

Gargar said that, on the other hand, Filipino fishermen get no such subsidy from the government.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News