PCG accuses China Coast Guard of neglecting fishing regulations in WPS

By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz, Philippine News Agency

FILE: A much larger vessel of the China Coast Guard (CCG) blocking the path of the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) BRP Malabrigo (MRRV-4402) during a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal on June 30, 2023. (Photo: Philippine Coast Guard/Facebook)

MANILA – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday accused the China Coast Guard (CCG) of neglecting its responsibilities with the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) due to its failure to properly inspect Chinese fishing vessels.

In a statement, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela said CCG vessel 5303 — registered by China on the WCPFC as an authorized inspection vessel — has not inspected Chinese maritime militia (CMM) vessels since it arrived at Escoda Shoal in the WPS.

“Instead of conducting inspections, they interacted with the crew of the CMM as if they were familiar acquaintances, sharing meals,” Tarriela said.

The WCPFC is a regional fisheries management organization established to conserve and manage tuna and other highly migratory fish stocks across the western and central areas of the Pacific Ocean.

“It is evident that no formal boarding procedures were carried out by the CCG to question the CMM’s intentions, despite their prolonged presence without any signs of fishing,” Tarriela said.

The CCG’s lack of action against CMM vessels, he said, showed that CMM vessels were recognized by China as an “integral part of their maritime operations, aiding in encroaching upon the Exclusive Economic Zones of other countries throughout the South China Sea.”

“These state-subsidized maritime militias support the CCG and the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in intimidating neighboring maritime states such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines,” he said.

The situation, he said, highlighted that the CCG “should not be entrusted with the responsibilities of the WCPFC to board fishing vessels.”

“Their true objective is not to combat illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing. [China’s] aim appears to be the innovative legitimization of its unlawful presence and activities in the WPS, disguised under the pretense of maritime law enforcement,” he said.