The Philippines has accused Chinese fishermen of depleting giant clam populations in Scarborough Shoal, a contentious area in the South China Sea controlled by China’s coast guard. Philippine authorities are now calling for an international investigation to assess the environmental impact.
Surveillance photos revealed by the Philippine coast guard show Chinese fishermen harvesting the clams over several years in a lagoon at Scarborough Shoal, locally known as Bajo de Masinloc. However, these activities appeared to cease in March 2019. The surrounding coral reefs have suffered significant damage due to these activities.
Commodore Jay Tarriela of the Philippine coast guard expressed concern at a news conference, stating, “Those were the last remaining giant clams that we saw in Bajo de Masinloc.” He highlighted the severe environmental degradation caused by the relentless harvesting.
Jonathan Malaya, Assistant Director General of the National Security Council, voiced the urgency of the situation: “We are alarmed and worried about the situation that’s happening there.” He urged China to permit an independent assessment by United Nations experts and environmental organizations.
China has not responded to these allegations. The ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea involve several countries, but China’s claim to sovereignty over the area has been a significant point of contention.
The Philippines has intensified its efforts to garner international support by publicly denouncing China’s actions in these disputed waters. This includes an incident three weeks ago when Chinese ships used water cannons against Philippine vessels attempting to enter the lagoon.
Malaya suggested, “We can ask third-party environmental groups or even the United Nations to do a fact-finding mission to determine the environmental situation.”
This appeal follows a 2016 international arbitration ruling largely in favor of the Philippines, which China has refused to recognize. The dispute continues to escalate, raising concerns about a potential larger conflict involving the United States, which has pledged to defend the Philippines under their mutual defense treaty.
