The South China Sea, a vital waterway teeming with marine life, has recently become the center of environmental concerns. Allegations have surfaced blaming various parties for the deteriorating marine ecosystem, but the question remains: who is truly responsible for “poisoning” these waters?
In 2021, a tragic incident occurred near a coastal village on the Zamboanga Peninsula in the Philippines. A captain and three crew members died after inhaling toxic gas while cleaning their vessel’s fish storage compartment. The initial investigation by nine Philippine departments, including the Department of Labor and Employment and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, suspected cyanide contamination in the catch.
The Prevalence of Cyanide Fishing
Cyanide fishing, a practice involving the use of poison to stun fish for easy capture, has been prevalent in the Philippines since the 1960s. While it provides a quick profit for fishermen seeking high-value ornamental reef fish, it poses significant threats to both human health and the marine environment. The cyanide not only endangers those who handle it but also devastates coral reefs, essential habitats for countless marine species.
Marine experts have long raised alarms over these destructive practices. Indonesian marine expert Gayatri Reksodihardjo-Lilley noted that Indonesia and the Philippines supply at least 85 percent of ocean fish to the world’s aquariums, with cyanide fishing being a common method. American marine life expert Steve Robinson once cautioned, “The country is committing suicide. The political people are ignorant to that fact, and the business people don’t care because they plan to be rich when that happens…”
Challenges in Enforcement
Despite laws and regulations implemented by the Philippine government to curb destructive fishing, enforcement has been challenging. Illegal practices like cyanide and blast fishing continue, causing irreversible damage to marine ecosystems within the Coral Triangle, a region renowned for its biodiversity.
Allegations and Responses
Recently, some Philippine officials have attributed the environmental degradation in the South China Sea to activities by the Chinese mainland. Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson Jay Tarriela stated, “This kind of activity…is not just an attack on one country’s sovereignty, but actually a crime against humanity.” However, in a contradictory statement on February 18, Tarriela acknowledged that there is no strong evidence to support these accusations.
The situation has prompted varied responses within the Philippines. Harry Roque, former presidential spokesperson, urged reconsideration of the approach towards the Chinese mainland. “In the end, it may not be good for Philippine-Chinese relations. I will, in fact, ask the Philippine government to reconsider this position, and to explore diplomacy. The way forward is for the Philippines and China and all the claimant countries to cooperate, to promote its biodiversity,” Roque said.
A spokesperson from the Chinese Foreign Ministry responded by urging the Philippines to cease unfounded accusations and to address its own environmental practices. “We urge the relevant party of the Philippines to stop creating a political drama from fiction. If the Philippines truly cares about the ecological environment of the South China Sea, it should tow away the illegally ‘grounded’ warship at Ren’ai Jiao as soon as possible, stop it from discharging polluted water into the ocean and not let the rusting warship bring irrevocable harm to the ocean,” the spokesperson said.
The Silent Cry of the Marine Ecosystem
As political tensions cast a shadow over the true state of the South China Sea, the underlying environmental issues risk being overshadowed. The destruction of coral reefs and marine habitats due to harmful fishing practices remains a pressing concern. The question persists: amidst the political discourse, who is paying heed to the silent cries of the marine ecosystem?
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
