Philippines claims China is fishing using cyanide
Plans to file a complaint with the Permanent International Court of Justice after securing evidence
China refutes “absurd fabrication”… escalating conflict
On the 16th, a Chinese coast guard vessel closely follows a boat carrying a Philippine Department of Fisheries Resources officer (right) in the waters near Scarborough Reef in the South China Sea. AFP Yonhap News
The Philippines and China clashed over the destruction of the South China Sea ecosystem. When the Philippines criticized Chinese fishermen for using toxic chemicals to fish in the country’s waters, China protested strongly, calling it a ‘baseless slander’. The conflict between the two countries, which has been a nerve-wracking war since last year over sovereignty over the South China Sea, is spreading to environmental issues.All.
“23.8 billion won in damage due to cyanide fishing”
According to local media such as the Philippine Star on the 20th, Nazario Brighera, spokesperson for the Philippine Department of Fisheries and Oceans, said the day before:Chinese fishermen have been injecting cyanide (cyanide) in waters near Scarborough Reef (Chinese name Huangyan Island) in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).He claimed, “This is an act that destroys the marine ecosystem and deliberately interferes with the fishing of Filipino fishermen.”
‘Cyanide fishing’ is a fishing method that involves spraying cyanide near coral reefs or fishing grounds. It is considered the easiest way to catch a large amount of fish in a short period of time without causing damage because it is restored by stunning the fish with poison..
However, it is known that coral colonies at the point of cyanide release are not only destroyed, but also have a negative effect on the growth of fish stocks as toxic substances accumulate in the surrounding sea. Rafael Guerrero, a professor at the National University of Science and Technology of the Philippines, explained to the Manila Bulletin, “Cyanide is fatal to humans, fish, and coral reefs.” For this reason, cyanide fishing has been restricted in Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines and Indonesia for several years now.
A person uses cyanide to catch fish near a coral reef. Still from Hakai Magazine, an American maritime media outlet
If the Philippines claims, this means that China is illegally fishing in the disputed South China Sea and threatening the marine ecosystem. Philippine fisheries authorities estimate that damage to marine resources worth 1 billion pesos (about 23.8 billion won) has occurred due to cyanide.he did
China refutes “absurd fabrication”
First of all, the issue was not officially raised by the Philippine government. On the 20th, the Philippine National Security Council (NSC) asked the Bureau of Fisheries Resources to conduct a detailed investigation and secure evidence. If confirmed to be true, the Ministry of Justice plans to file a complaint against China’s destruction of marine ecosystems at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, Netherlands.in.
China responded to the Philippines’ claim, calling it an “absurd fabrication.” The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines pointed out that “the professionalism of the Philippine fisheries authorities is questionable,” and Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Maoning told a regular briefing that “China protects the ecosystem and fish resources and is going to a firm grip on illegal fishing activities. ” Line drawn forward Chinese media outlets, including the state-run Global Times, also added their support, accusing the Philippines of malicious attacks.
This is not the first regional conflict over environmental issues in the South China Sea.. Last year, the Philippine Coast Guard claimed that Chinese militias destroyed a large number of coral reefs while building artificial islands in the South China Sea. In 2021, Simularity, an American artificial intelligence (AI) developer, said that the ecosystem of the South China Sea has suffered a disaster that is close to irreparable due to Chinese fishing boats trimming in reeds for five years since 2016, spilling a large number of people. waste and waste water.
Hanoi= Heo Gyeong-ju Reporter fairyhkj@hankookilbo.com
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