Fish deliveries slip for 2nd month in a row

MANILA, Philippines, June 21 ----- Monthly fish deliveries in the country’s regional fish ports (RFPs) slipped for the second straight month in May ahead of the early onset of the rainy season.

Latest data from the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) showed the RFPs unloaded 42,814.9 metric tons (MT) of fish and other fishery products last month. The figure is 4.26 percent lower than the 44,721.05 MT unloaded in April and 11.84 percent lower than the 48,563.31 MT during the same month last year.

The PFDA attributed the decline to the onslaught of Typhoon Betty and widespread heavy downpour spawned by the southwest monsoon. The PFDA-Bulan Fish Port Complex recorded the highest percentage increase in monthly fish unloading after delivering 1,334 MT, which was up 17.14 percent month-on-month. The General Santos Fish Port Complex bounced back from the previous month’s slight dip with 15,788.37 MT of fishery products unloaded. The figure was 6.75 percent higher than the previous month.

The PFDA said the Zamboanga and Davao fish port complexes both maintained increasing unloading records for several months. The Mindanao ports recorded a 5.24 percent rise in unloading volumes to 965.65 MT and a 4.07 percent jump to 441.404 MT, respectively. The Iloilo Fish Port Complex unloaded 2,207.66 MT, which was up 13.89 percent and its highest volume record this year. The Navotas Fish Port Complex experienced a transition period from peak season to regular fishing season toward the end of May. This resulted in a 15.14 percent drop in monthly unloading to 19,644.03 MT of fish. The Lucena Fish Port Complex delivered 2,246.85 MT of fish, which was down by 4.9 percent. The Sual Fish Port Complex returned to fishing and recorded 186.935 MT.

UN sea treaty

Meanwhile, the Philippines welcomed the historic adoption of the United Nations High Seas Treaty, a legally binding marine biodiversity agreement following nearly two decades of negotiations. The UN’s 193 member-states, including the Philippines, adopted the first-ever legally binding international treaty to govern and protect international waters.

The treaty is titled Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), but is widely referred to as the High Seas Treaty. The agreement aims to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, which cover over two-thirds of the ocean. The Philippine Mission to the United Nations in New York said the BBNJ treaty, which aims to protect the environment and heading off disputes over natural resources, was adopted through a consensus with delegates applauding afterwards.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for multilateral affairs and international economic relations Carlos Sorreta said the Philippines participated for two decades in the process leading up to the adoption of the agreement. Sorreta delivered a statement following the adoption of the agreement and commended conference president Rena Lee for heading the process. Building on the legacy of the UNCLOS or United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the treaty strengthens the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in over two-thirds of the ocean. It provides an essential framework for cross-sectoral cooperation between and among states and other stakeholders to promote the sustainable development of the ocean and its resources as well as address the pressures it faces.“With UNCLOS as our guidepost, we approached this process with the following principles the common heritage of mankind, fair and equitable sharing of benefits, rights and jurisdiction of adjacent coastal states, special recognition for archipelagic states, the precautionary principle and transparency of action and support,” Sorreta said.

He also highlighted the recognition of archipelagic states, particularly in relation to building capacities in implementing the treaty. The treaty will be open for signature at the UN Headquarters in New York for two years from September onwards. It will be enforced after ratification by 60 states.

Source: philstar.com