Published July 20, 2021, 10:45 AM
International think tank Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has backed the Philippine government on its stand at the World Trade Organization (WTO) against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and harmful fisheries subsidies.
Motorized outriggers rest on the shore of a coastal village in Davao City. (Photo via Keith Bacongco / FILE PHOTO)
On Tuesday, SEARCA Director and Chief Executive Officer Glenn Gregorio issued his official comments and notes regarding the revised draft of the consolidated chair text on WTO’s negotiating group on rules, particularly on fisheries subsidies.
“Recognizing the importance of conserving coastal and marine resources, as further emphasized in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 14: Life below water), we support the call that, ‘no member shall grant or maintain any subsidy to a vessel or operator engaged in IUU fishing’,” said Gregorio.
Published July 19, 2021, 2:31 PM
The Philippine government was told to assert its position at the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding harmful subsidies that bigger countries like China provide their commercial fleets, resulting in overfishing and encroaching in disputed waters.
This, since China alone gives out P325 billion in fisheries subsidies, enabling its fleet to encroach even in disputed waters such as in the Philippines, Norberto Chingcuanco, co-convenor at food security advocacy group Tugon Kabuhayan, said in a virtual briefing.
During the same briefing, Tugon Kabuhayan Convenor and former Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) National Director Asis Perez said that the Philippines should not allow for negotiations at WTO to end without having to address the harmful subsidies that bigger nations have been distributing among their fleet.
Published July 5, 2021, 2:17 PM
Amid the current restiveness of Taal Volcano, fish pen operators and fisherfolk operating in Taal Lake were prompted to issue a statement assuring the public that their tilapia catch is safe for consumption.
This is to avoid the same scenario during last year’s eruption when fish pen operators and fisherfolk in the area were badly affected by misleading food safety advisory coming from the Department of Health (DOH).
“The phreatic explosion doesn’t affect tilapia. The debris fell only within surrounding areas of the island while sulfur dioxide only affects plants. Moreover, fish do not consume ash from the volcano,” Nestor Natanauan, president of Taal Lake Aquaculture Alliance Inc., (TLAAI), said in a statement on Monday.
Food security group lauds late President Aquino s contribution to fisheries – Manila Bulletin mb.com.ph - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from mb.com.ph Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.