An index launched in February this year scores countries according to their degree of exposure to and quality of response towards illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Out of the 152 coastal states assessed worldwide, the Philippines is among the countries with the highest illegal fishing index. Within the global center for marine biodiversity and the…
Tag: Philippines
Philippine Tuna
Twenty-one species of tuna have been recorded in the Philippine waters but only six are caught in commercial quantity and form the basis of the tuna fishing industry. These are the Yellowfin (Thunnus albacares), Bigeye (Thunnus obesus), Skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis), Easter Little Tuna or ‘Kawakawa’ (Euthynnus affinis), Frigate Tuna (Auxis thazard), and Bullet Tuna (Auxis…
The Chain of Issues on China’s Exploitation of Giant Clams in the West Philippine Sea
Following China’s claim to parts of the West Philippine Sea, Chinese fishermen have been long reported of exploiting the natural resources of the Philippine waters. There are even reports that Chinese fishermen and coast guards are harassing Filipino fishermen by taking their catches and disallowing them to enter the fishing grounds. There is a long…
BEWARE: Manila Bay is still NOT CLEAN
Photos are going around online showing many people visiting the Manila Bay area after the major clean-up activity performed last January 2019. This is quite alarming because people should be aware that the bay is still not ‘clean’ and poses certain health risks. It may appear to be tidier than before but it’s still critically…
Philippines’ Top Exported Live Aquatic Animals in 2017
Charybdis feriata (Crucifix Crab) [1] Especially important in markets in East Asia, where it commands substantially higher premium prices being sold for USD 8.00 to USD 15.00 per kilogram. Occurs at depths from 30 to 60 m. It is distributed in subtropical and tropical climates. It is also usually found in shallow sandy or rocky…
Mountain Province
Sagada is a town within the Mountain Province of the Philippines which is rich in indigenous culture. The municipality is also known for its natural wonders such as waterfalls, pine forests, rice terraces, lake, and caves. (Photo c/o Leonard Guerrero) With more than 60 caves in Sagada, the Sumaguing Cave has the biggest chamber and…
The Exportation Trade of Shark Fins in the Philippines
Sharks belong to the class of cartilaginous fishes called the Chondrichthyes in which other animals includes like Stingrays, Batoids, Chimaeras, and Sawfishes. Chondrichthyans has various socio-economic purposes and distinctively, these fishes provide meat and shark fins for human consumption [1]. A common delicacy using shark fins is the shark fin soup that became an important Chinese…
Zambales
Magalawa Island at Palauig, Zambales, Philippines. Magalawa is a 56-hectare isolated island on the west coast of Luzon that is best known for its white fine sand and its pristine sandbar. Magalawa Island Magalawa Island Magalawa Island
Import Risk Analysis: Live Pacific White Shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) transported from Thailand to the Philippines for Aquaculture
STATUS OF OIE-LISTED CRUSTACEAN DISEASES IN THAILAND Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease Outbreaks of acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) of shrimp began in China in 2009 and spread sequentially to Vietnam (2010), Malaysia (2011), Thailand (2012), and Mexico (Thitamadee et al., 2015). Species susceptible to AHPND include giant tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) and whiteleg shrimp (P….
