Is China Killing Marine Life? Chinese Fishing Vessels Accused of Using Cyanide, Posing Environmental Threats

The Philippines' Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) disclosed that Chinese fishermen have utilized cyanide to harm Bajo de Masinloc, also called Scarborough Shoal.

Cyanide was used in fishing back in the 1960s in the Philippines to serve the global aquarium trade. However, since the early 1980s, it has evolved into a larger enterprise, catering to the demand for live reef fish in Hong Kong, Singapore, and mainland China's restaurants.

Cyanide Use in West Philippine Sea Sparks Environmental and Legal Concerns

BFAR spokesman Nazario Briguera emphasized the intentional destruction of Bajo de Masinloc by Chinese fishermen to prevent Filipino fishing boats from operating in the area.

Briguera estimated damages at over P1 billion, expressing serious concerns about the threat to fish larvae and corals in the West Philippine Sea, an area well within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) confirmed by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016.

The West Philippine Sea, a crucial fishing ground for approximately 385,300 people, contributes 6% to 7% of the country's fisheries sector, with an annual catch of around 275,520 metric tons. BFAR deems the use of cyanide beyond the EEZ as "illegal, unreported, and undocumented fishing," posing a severe threat to marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of those dependent on the region.

Despite these allegations, another report says there is a lack of certainty from the Philippine Coast Guard regarding the responsible party for cyanide use in Bajo de Masinloc.

Commodore Jay Tarriela of the Philippine Coast Guard expressed uncertainty, stating that there is no scientific evidence attributing cyanide fishing in Bajo de Masinloc to either Chinese or Vietnamese fishermen. This uncertainty adds complexity to the situation, leaving the responsible parties for the alleged environmental damage unclear.

Scarborough Shoal: Geopolitical Jewel Threatened by Cyanide Fishing and Neglect

Scarborough Shoal, located around 124 miles from the Philippines, sustains an estimated 385,300 people with an annual catch of 275,520 metric tons of fish. The atoll's geopolitical significance arises from its abundant aquatic life, valuable fishing stocks, and an inner lagoon providing shelter during storms, making it an ideal rest stop for boats.

Cyanide fishing, a method previously employed by Filipino fishermen, facilitates the daily catch but also damages coral reefs, contributing to the endangerment of Philippine reefs due to both the destructive fishing method and climate change.

Despite bans in countries like Indonesia and the Philippines, enforcing the prohibition of cyanide fishing remains challenging, allowing the practice to persist. The vast Indonesian archipelago, with 34,000 miles of coastline across 17,500 islands, presents a monumental monitoring challenge at the first step of the tropical fish supply chain.

National efforts to address the ornamental fish trade have faced neglect, and the rapid movement of fish between locations complicates tracing their origins, hindering effective regulation.

Cyanide's impact extends beyond the immediate catch, killing coral polyps and algae, transforming coral reefs-known as the "rainforests of the oceans"-into marine deserts. Biologist Sam Mamauag of the International Marinelife Alliance (IMA) in the Philippines emphasizes that a square meter of reef is destroyed for every live fish caught using cyanide. The ongoing dispute over Scarborough Shoal underscores the importance of halting cyanide fishing to preserve marine ecosystems.