Chinese Reclamation at West PH Sea Costing $100M Annual Damage to Ecosystem

(PIA)—The Chinese reclamation at the West Philippine Sea is already costing a $100 million annual damage to its ecosystem.

This was the statement of National Scientists Dr. Edgardo Gomez, Emeritus Professor of of the University of the Philippines – Marine Science Department in the recently held Bloggers Forum in Cebu.

“Due to these illegal activities the countries around South China Sea lose $100,000,000.00 annually,” said Dr. Gomez.

He added that there is destruction of the balance of marine ecosystem seen due to the massive reclamation projects of China in the West Philippine Sea.

Over exploitation of endangered species and coral reef ecosystem are among the issues concerning the sustainability of food security in the Philippines, Gomez said.

Gomez said the physical destruction of the marine biodiversity has an impact on climate change and economic productivity of the country.

“Coral Reefs provide the most productive ecosystem services, it sustains life, “ Gomez explained.

These healthy coral reefs are important for the productivity of neighboring marginal seas and if the Chinese continue to harm these healthy ecosystems, “we may lose our ecological biodiversity,” Gomez warned.

Chinese fishers dominating Bajo de Masinloc near Zambales practice destructive fishing using boat propellers to clear sands and coral reefs.

They are also harvesting massive giant clams which are considered endangered. These giant clams are reportedly used as replacements for ivory to sustain Chinese sculptural industry. Tridachna Gigas are among the true giant clams found on the West Philippine Sea.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Cebu tapped the Cebu bloggers community for the information campaign on West Philippine Sea issues.

China has been recently displaying aggression on its claims over the West Philippine Sea, pursuing the Nine dash line claim. (mbcn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)