Panatag Shoal suffers extensive damage since Chinese occupation — think tank

Satellite images from US-based think tank Asian Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) showed that Panatag Shoal has suffered extensive damage since Chinese vessels occupied the disputed territory in 2012.

The photos taken by AMTI indicated that a large portion of the shoal has been destroyed because of hauling of giant clams, a report on "24 Oras" by GMA News' Sandra Aguinaldo said Friday.

The destruction of coral reefs due to the extraction of giant clams was among the complaints filed by the Philippines before the Arbitral Tribunal or Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), for its part, said the Panatag Shoal is still rich in marine resources.

The BFAR, however, also admitted that the agency has not conducted a study on the marine resources in the area and that their data is only based on the volume of local fish yield.

"Hindi naman tayo nababahala na magkakaroon ng overfishing kasi unang-una napakalayo ng lugar. Ang nakakapunta lang sa lugar ay 'yung may kakayahan talaga na makarating doon at makapangisda," Nazario Briguera, BFAR chief information officer, said.

"Hindi lahat ng bangka ay makakapunta doon. Pangalawa po masasabi natin na may natural closed fishing season doon sa area dahil tinatawag nating harsh oceanographic condition, sa mga panahong 'yon malakas talaga ang alon," Briguera added.

Moreover, the bureau appealed to Filipino fishermen to be responsible and urged them not to engage in destructive fishing practices. — John Ted Cordero/BAP, GMA News