Alternative fishing grounds don't exist -- Pamalakaya

MANILA, Philippines - The alternative fishing grounds which Malacañang would soon identify for Filipino fishermen affected by the current tensions in the West Philippine Sea do not exist, fisherfolk group Pamalakaya said on Wednesday.

Salvador France, Pamalakaya vice chairperson, said the government is even planning to impose fish ban in 10 of the 13 major fishing grounds in the country.

"The country with 7,101 islands and separated by bodies of water is the entire fishing area of 1.3 million fishermen. So what alternative fishing grounds Malacañang are referring to?" France said.

He said that Malacañang through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources had been planning to impose a nationwide fish ban.

France said 10 of the 13 fishing grounds namely Lingayen Gulf, northern Zambales, Visayan Sea, Camotes Sea, Honda Bay, Babuyan Channel, Lagonoy Gulf, Sorsogon Bay, Hinatuan and Dinagat Bay and Davao Gulf were mapped out to implement fish ban to pave way for the government's stock assessment program.

On Tuesday, Deputy spokesperson Abigail Valte told Palace reporters that the Aquino administration will soon identify "alternative fishing grounds" for Filipino fishermen so as not to exacerbate tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

At the same time, the government will also beef up its maritime assets to establish "a minimum credible defense" in the hotly contested West Philippine Sea.

Valte said the Aquino government will continue to employ its “nonengagement policy” on the issue of the disputed waters of the West Philippine Sea, regarding presence of a fleet of Chinese fishing boats, accompanied by patrol vessels, at Ayungin Shoal.

Earlier, Pamalakaya urged President Benigno Aquino III to file appropirate charges against China before the United Nations over Beijing’s refusal to leave Ayungin Reef and Panatag Shoal, which are part of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone. - Dennis Carcamo