Environmental advocates and fisherfolk communities on Thursday called for stronger protection of marine biodiversity on World Fisheries Day, days before the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) approaches its end.
“The Philippines, as an archipelagic nation, relies heavily on its fisheries sector for food and livelihood. With the increasing threats our oceans are facing today, fisherfolk and coastal communities are also at risk. This World Fisheries Day, we stand in solidarity our communities facing the burden of the destructive impacts of marine pollution, biodiversity loss, and intensifying climate disasters,” said Gerry Arances, Executive Director of think tank Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED).
COP29 is a key moment in shaping global commitments on climate financing. The groups emphasized the need to protect marine biodiversity by halting further fossil fuel developments, particularly in critical marine biodiversity hotspots.
“As COP29 nears its end, we are urging world leaders to prioritize biodiversity and communities of vulnerable Global South countries in the anticipated climate finance text, and to follow through with previous commitments made to transition away from fossil fuels,” added Arances.
In a recent study by CEED, the marine biodiversity hotspot Verde Island Passage is touted as the epicenter of fossil gas expansion in the Philippines, with 5 existing fossil gas plants, 10 proposed gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plants, and 2 operating LNG import terminals, with 3 more in the pipeline.
“Nakakadismaya na sa pagdiriwang namin ng World Fisheries Day, ay ang dagat na aming pinagkukuhanan ng kabuhayan ay nasisira dahil sa fossil fuels. Kaming mga mangingisda sa VIP ay nasa panganib kung magpapatuloy ang pagdami ng mga proyektong ito. Sana naman ay pakinggan kami na unahin naman ang ating karagatan at ang aming komunidad,” said Maximo Bayubay, Vice President for External Affairs of Bukluran ng Mangingisda sa Batangas (BMB), a local fishefolk organization in one of the provinces spanning the VIP.
[It is disappointing that while we are celebrating World Fisheries Day, the ocean that is our source of livelihood, is facing destruction from fossil fuel developments. We, fisherfolk depending on the VIP for our living, are at a critical stake as these developments continue. We hope that our voices will be heard and that our oceans and our communities will be prioritized.]
Since the last week of October, the Philippines have been battered by six typhoons, including four this month—the first time such an occurrence had been observed since 1951 according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
“Ang mga nagdaang bagyo sa ating bansa nitong mga nakaraang linggo ay senyales na tayo ay talagang bulnerable sa lumalalang krisis sa klima. Nasaksihan na namin ito 11 taon na ang nakakalipas noong tinamaan ng Yolanda ang aming probinsya, pero hindi pa rin tayo natuto. Patuloy pa rin ang mga gawaing nakasisira sa kalikasan, kabilang na ang paggamit ng fossil fuels, na nagpaparumi sa ating karagatan at nagpapalala sa mga sakuna dulot ng klima. Hindi natin gusto pa ng isa pang Yolanda – panahon na para kumilos at protektahan ang komunidad at karagatan sa patuloy na pagkasira,” said Dario Magason, Council Member of Burubligay han Gudti Nga mangirisda ha Sinirangan Bisayas (BUGSAY), a coalition of fisherfolks in Leyte.
[The recent typhoons that devastated the Philippines in the past few weeks are proof that we are indeed vulnerable in this climate crisis. We have already witnessed this 11 years ago when Yolanda struck our province, but we have yet to fully heed its lessons. Environmentally destructive activities, including fossil fuels, still pollute our oceans, contributing to intensifying climate disasters. We do not want another Yolanda – we must act now need to protect our communities and oceans from further destruction.]