On May 20, the Philippines urged for an international and independent audit of China’s purported environmental degradation of Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea, via activities like illegal fishing for giant clams, sea turtles and other species, according to reports by Radio Free Asia (RFA) and Nikkei Asia.
Although the shoal falls within Manila’s exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, Beijing has effectively controlled it since 2012. In 2012, Philippine government ships withdrew from a face-off with China according to what Manila claimed was a deal facilitated by American officials to calm Sino-Philippine tensions.
However, in Manila’s view, Beijing went back on the promise to withdraw its ships. Rather, China has since encircled the disputed shoal with coast guard and militia ships. Since 2012, the Chinese Coast Guard has had a number of stand-offs with Philippine patrol ships and fishing boats, which have been stopped from entering the lagoon.
According to Nikkei Asia, the National Security Council urged for the audit after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) disclosed reports of marine destruction within a lagoon inside the Scarborough Shoal, known locally as Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal. Photographs taken by the PCG from 2018 to 2019 showed individuals the PCG said were Chinese fishermen unlawfully harvesting giant clams, sting rays, top shells and sea turtles, jeopardizing the shoal’s marine environment.
According to a report by Associated Press, the PCG said signs of massive giant clams harvesting ceased in March 2019. The surrounding coral appeared to be badly scarred and there were no more clams to be found.
Jonathan Malaya, National Security Council spokesman, said in the RFA report: “We call on China to open up Bajo de Masinloc to international inspection and we also call on 3rd-party inspectors from relevant United Nations bodies or respected environmental organizations to determine the true situation therein in order to protect the environment. He added that China has prevented Filipino officials from accessing the lagoon and there was a growing public consensus on the need to protest against China over the destruction of coral reefs, including the illegal harvesting of endangered giant clams.
China has repeatedly dismissed claims that it is destroying coral reefs. Malaya said if that is true, then China should open up Bajo de Masinloc to international scrutiny.
Additionally, the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources also previously accused Chinese fishing vessels of using cyanide in the Scarborough Shoal. Spokesperson Nazario Briguera claimed the Chinese fishermen purposely used cyanide to damage the shoal, preventing Filipino fishing boats from operating in the area. Estimated damages from the alleged use of cyanide total to about US$17.85 million.
China reiterated that a 2021 law empowering its Coast Guard to fire on foreign vessels infringing on its sovereignty will be used. Malaya said China had no authority over the high seas and this regulation breached international law, stating it was a “scare tactic” to intimidate and coerce Asian neighbors.
China has repeatedly asserted territorial claims over almost the entire South China Sea. Other rival claimants include the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan and Indonesia. In recent years, the Philippines has embraced a policy of documenting and publicizing China’s increasingly assertive actions in the disputed waters in a bid to garner international backing.
A tribunal in the Hague ruled in 2016 that China’s expansive claims lacked legal grounds under the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. The ruling also stated that Scarborough Shoal is a traditional fishing area for Filipino fishermen. China dismissed the Hague’s ruling and continues to defy it to this day.
Photo credit: iStock/ Andrei Savin
