A group of science advocates urged the Duterte administration on Thursday to implement genuine fisheries reform and preferential fishery rights for municipal fishermen.
The Agham-Advocates of Science and Technology for the People made the call a day after the observance of the World Fisheries Day on November 21.
The group said preferential fishery rights for municipal fishermen can be demonstrated by dedicating the 15-kilometer municipal waters for municipal and artisanal fishing only. The government should also reorient commercial fishing to help domestic demand and adopt sustainable rehabilitation policies that put great consideration on the livelihood of municipal and artisanal fishers.
“We demand the Duterte administration to put an end to bogus partnerships with foreign powers such as China that places the livelihoods and food security of Filipino people at a marked disadvantage,” Agham said in a statement.
World Fisheries Day, ironically, coincided with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the Philippines. On Wednesday several agreements were forged between Manila and Beijing, one of which includes the joint exploration for oil in the West Philippine Sea, Agham said.
“People’s organizations expressed concerns over such agreement which lends credence to China’s illegal claims over our territorial waters. Such deal gravely disadvantages our fishing communities, such as the incident last May when Chinese vessels harassed and even extorted Filipino fishermen,” the group said.
Aside from China’s encroachment of our fishing grounds, Filipino fishermen face major concerns at home, Agham said.
“The Philippine fisheries sector is currently suffering from a continuous decline in production. Catch of important fish species has declined, reflected on the issue of galunggong importation three months ago,” the group said.