Chinese Fishing Vessels Raise Concerns in Philippine EEZ

Baybay City, Philippines – November 29, 2024 – Weather reports from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) indicate calm seas across the West Philippine Sea (WPS), including the Scarborough Shoal, Second Thomas Shoal, and surrounding areas, for the period of 18:01 PST on November 28, 2024 to 06:00 PST on November 29, 2024.

However, despite the tranquil weather, tensions continue to simmer in the region. No significant public statements or reports of maritime activity from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) or the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) regarding the WPS were released during this timeframe.

Social media, however, provided glimpses into ongoing concerns. Philippine fishermen’s groups shared posts expressing apprehension about the continued presence of Chinese fishing vessels within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). These concerns echo long-standing issues of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by Chinese vessels in Philippine waters, a contentious point that has strained relations between the two countries.

Looking ahead:

While the immediate weather outlook for the WPS remains calm, the underlying geopolitical tensions are unlikely to dissipate. Continued monitoring of official pronouncements and social media activity will be crucial in understanding developments in the region.

Sources:

• Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)
• Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
• Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)
• Social media posts from Philippine fishermen’s groups