NO VICTORY ON GROUND ZERO | 1 month later, Scarborough fishers still affected by China blockade

From InterAksyon (Aug 15): NO VICTORY ON GROUND ZERO | 1 month later, Scarborough fishers still affected by China blockade

Almost a month after the Philippines won the arbitration case it filed to stop China's "excessive" nine-dash-line claim in the South China Sea, fishermen in Zambales say they have  yet to feel the impact of that victory. The Department of Agriculture has come to their rescue, but relief is not about to happen immediately, it seems.

The UN arbitral tribunal, without ruling on who owns Scarborough, tagged it a traditional fishing ground over which Beijing had no basis for blocking fishermen of various Asian nations.

According to data from the Philippine Statistical Authority and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, commercial fish production from years 2011-2015 (in metric tons) had stood at:

2011 - 3,970

2012 - 2,944

2013 - 2,893

2014 - 2,977

2015 - 2,795

Municipal fish production for 2011-2015 (in metric tons) was at:

2011 - 12,308

2012 - 11,354

2013 - 11,354

2014 - 11,037

2015 - 10,174

These days, fish catch in Zambales province still continues to be difficult, as Chinese vessels still occupy Scarborough Shoal, a major fishing ground for Zambales fishermen and part of the West Philippine Sea.

Scarborough is considered part of the municipality of Masinloc in Zambales, and is just 124 nautical miles west of the province.

Based on a study, the area is rich in  marine resources. "The potential yield of fisheries resources in offshore Northern Zambales including Bajo de Masinloc is about 5,021.69 mt annually. [At least] 121 species from 33 fish families may be caught in its waters; among them are yellowfin tuna, skipjack and shortfin scad. Most of the tuna are caught near fish aggregating devices or payaos," said the Asian Center and Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea at the University of the Philippines

Fisherman Julius Porones used to earn up to P2,000 a day from fishing in the disputed waters, but ever since he stopped going there, after being harassed by Chinese authorities, his income is now down to just P300.

"Mahirap talaga kaya lang maghapon na lang sa dagat para kumita nang sapat. Konting tipid talaga masyado. Imbes na maganda ibigay mo sa buhay sa mga  anak mo, wala na. Dito halos sa tabi wala na rin isda. Sana makapunta uli kami sa Scarborough," said Porones.

All he wants is to earn enough for his four children, and the Department of Agriculture is lending a helping hand.

Last week, Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol gave Porones and some 199 fishermen in Zambales 100 motorized boats, lifevests and other fishing equipment worth almost P8-million, free of charge.

Pinol said the program is not intended to ease their pain stemming from the Scarborough issue, but he is hoping that fishermen like Porones can catch more fish  from other areas while they are still barred from Scarborough.

Aiding fishermen boost their fish catch  would also help stabilize supply while the government is rehabilitating laguna de Bay, where 36 percent of the country's fish supply comes from.

"This is part of our national program to really reach out to the poorest of the poor of this country and as you know, the  poorest of poor of this country are actually fisherfolk and the farmers," said Piñol.

He said the DA's expectation is for the beneficiaries "to catch so they'll be able to earn money and contribute to the fish supply of the country ."

For the Philippine Coast Guard, the new boats will enable fisherfolk to help them patrol the area and curb illegal fishing.

http://interaksyon.com/article/131437/no-victory-on-ground-zero--1-month-later-scarborough-fishers-still-affected-by-china-blockade