Philippines may consider filing a lawsuit against China due to US$194,000 worth of coral reef damage.
In a concerning incident that occurred on June 7, 2021, a Chinese maritime militia vessel was responsible for causing extensive damage to a sensitive marine ecosystem near the Philippines' Pag-asa Island in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.
The incident came to light following dives conducted by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, Western Philippines, who reported that the vessel had dragged a parachute anchor across approximately 30% of the reef area, affecting an estimated 464 square metres (4,994 square feet) of coral. The parachute anchor was later found resting on 307 square metres of coral, blocking sunlight and further threatening marine life.
The vessel, identified by hull number 16838, remained stranded for nearly three hours before it was escorted away by the China Coast Guard and two other Chinese ships. However, no further information is provided about the responsible party for the vessel.
The damage caused by this incident is estimated to be worth around P11 million (approximately US$194,000). This is yet another example of the environmental harm that Chinese maritime operations in the South China Sea have been associated with, further endangering marine biodiversity.
The Philippine coastguard was also involved in the dives, and the findings were presented by the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea. Thitu, one of the Philippines' main outposts in the South China Sea, is less than 3km from the affected reef.
This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing concerns involving Chinese activities in disputed maritime zones. Chinese platforms and vessels have been noted to jeopardize ecological and regional security, with unauthorized structures and unregulated fishing practices further exacerbating the situation.
[1] South China Sea tensions escalate as Chinese vessels block Filipino boats from fishing grounds. (2021, February 22). Al Jazeera. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/22/south-china-sea-tensions-escalate-as-chinese-vessels-block-filipino-boats-from-fishing-grounds
[2] Damage to coral reefs in the South China Sea could cost $1.4 billion, report says. (2018, May 24). CNN. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/24/asia/south-china-sea-coral-reef-damage-cost-intl/index.html
[3] China's 'fishing militia' accused of damaging South China Sea reefs. (2019, September 20). BBC News. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-49778750
[4] China's fishing fleet is causing 'ecological disaster' in the South China Sea. (2016, August 11). The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/aug/11/chinas-fishing-fleet-is-causing-ecological-disaster-in-the-south-china-sea
- The environmental science community scrutinizes the impact of politics and war-and-conflicts, as demonstrated by the damaging actions of Chinese maritime vessels in the South China Sea, which threaten marine life and biodiversity.
- General news sources frequently report on tensions in the South China Sea, with instances such as Chinese vessels blocking Filipino boats from fishing grounds underscoring the contentious nature of disputed maritime zones.
- The destructive impact of Chinese maritime operations in the South China Sea is a matter of concern for both science and the public, as further evidenced by reports of incidents like that which caused extensive damage to a marine ecosystem near the Philippines' Pag-asa Island.
- The effects of climate-change and unregulated fishing practices, often linked to Chinese activities in the South China Sea, are not only harmful to the environment but can also have significant economic consequences, as shown by an estimated P11 million (approximately US$194,000) in damage caused by a single incident in June 2021.
