Scarborough Shoal ‘completely surrounded’ by Chinese ships, Filipino fishers say

Eyewitness accounts reveal a relentless patrol of Chinese ships around the South China Sea shoal, leaving Filipino fishermen fearful

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A Chinese coastguard vessel patrols near Scarborough Shoal on September 19. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 11:30am, 30 Sep 2024

China’s annual four-month fishing ban in the South China Sea may have ended, but fisherfolk of the Philippines’ Zambales province report the persistent presence of Chinese vessels around Scarborough Shoal, just 120 nautical miles (222km) away.

The shoal, known locally as Bajo de Masinloc, has been “completely surrounded” by Chinese coastguard and militia vessels, New Masinloc Fisherman’s Association President Leonardo Cuaresma told This Week in Asia.

This area has long been a traditional fishing ground for Filipino fishermen, who now find themselves pushed back to nearly 40 nautical miles (74km) away, with Chinese vessels aggressively chasing them off if they venture closer, Cuaresma said.

Despite the Philippines’ claim to Scarborough Shoal as part of its 200 nautical-mile exclusive economic zone under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, China asserts “indisputable sovereignty” over the area.

The recent fishing moratorium, which began on May 1 and ended on September 16, was framed by state-run news agency Xinhua as a measure to “safeguard the rights and interests of marine fisheries and protect the marine ecological environment”.

Filipino fishers fix nets next to a fishing fleet at the port in Masinloc, Zambales province. Photo: AFP

China’s coastguard announced in May that it would begin enforcing an order allowing the detention for up to 60 days of foreign boats deemed to be “trespassing” in the South China Sea.