U.S. PUTS FILIPINO EYES AT SEA
Washington is helping Palawan fishermen report what they see at sea, as China makes those waters harder for Filipinos to fish.
Washington is helping Palawan fishermen report what they see at sea, as China makes those waters harder for Filipinos to fish.
The US and the Philippines have opened a community reporting center in Palawan that will allow fishermen to report suspected illegal fishing and unusual vessel activity in waters bordering the West Philippine Sea.
The facility, launched 13 August by the US Embassy-backed Fish Right Project and the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, will collect reports from local fishermen and relay them to Philippine authorities for verification and possible action.
The US is providing Starlink satellite connectivity and EarthRanger, a data visualization platform, to help the center receive, organize and share reports.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, National Maritime Center and Palawan provincial government will support the system. Philippine agencies, rather than the fishermen or US personnel, will determine whether reported activity warrants further action.
The initiative comes as Manila continues to confront illegal fishing and increasingly tense encounters at sea, particularly in waters facing the West Philippine Sea.
Philippine vessels and fishermen have repeatedly encountered Chinese coast guard and other Chinese vessels in disputed areas, including around Scarborough Shoal.
Manila and Beijing remain at odds over maritime claims after a 2016 international arbitration ruling rejected the legal basis for China’s sweeping historic-rights claims within the Philippines’ EEZ.
Washington has also expanded maritime cooperation with Manila under their Mutual Defense Treaty and has repeatedly said it supports a free and open Indo-Pacific and adherence to international law at sea.
US Embassy officer Taylor Fincher said illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing poses both economic and national security concerns, citing its effects on fish stocks, food security and legitimate fishing businesses.
The Fish Right Project focuses on Philippine waters bordering the West Philippine Sea and also supports marine research and market access for legally and sustainably caught seafood.
The center opened as the US and the Philippines mark 80 years of diplomatic relations and the 75th anniversary of their Mutual Defense Treaty.
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