Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 18) — Fish production in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) could increase if there is no “hindering factor” in the disputed waters, according to an official of the Bureau of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
Citing government data, BFAR spokesperson Naz Briguera said in a forum on Saturday that fish production in the WPS contributed 6% to the total volume in 2022.
Reporters asked Briguera if the fish production in the WPS could have been higher if not for Chinese incursions in the contested waters.
\”Between 2021 to 2022, nagkaroon ng pag-slide down ‘yong production sa West Philippine area at tinatanong ako saan ba attributed ‘yon. They are (journalists) trying to get that perspective na parang it’s actually a result of the issues happening in the West Philippine Sea in terms of the geopolitical situation,\” he said.
[Translation: Between 2021 to 2022, there’s a decrease in the fish production in the West Philippine area and I was asked what could be the cause. They are trying to get that perspective that it’s actually a result of the issues happening in the WPS in terms of the geopolitical situation.]
Briguera explained that while \”there is no direct attribution to that particular data\” as the production level could be due to bad weather, it is possible that fish production in WPS could increase if there is no geopolitical issue.
\”Now going back to your question na posible ba na tumaas ang production ng WPS kung wala ang mga isyung ito na nangyayari doon? I would say yes,\” the BFAR official said.
\”Kung ano man iyong mga hindering factors na nangyayari ngayon at kapag nawala ito ay mangangahulugan ito na mas malilinang natin ang yaman ng West Philippine Sea,\” he added.
[Translation: Now going back to your question if it’s possible that the production in WPS would increase if there is no issue there? I would say yes. Whatever these current hindering factors are, if these are removed, it would mean that we could cultivate the resources in the WPS.]
Citing a 2019 report from the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute, Briguera said the country is losing around ₱33 billion yearly due to damaged ecosystems in waters off Panatag Shoal and Spratly Islands because of China’s reclamation activities in the area.
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