Ferliza C. Contratista
CEBU CITY, April 28 (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
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 eportedly 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/ with reports from Caren P. Gabisay, CTU Devcom Intern)