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Ph, France strengthen marine conservation cooperation efforts
By Nidz Godino
“Discussions on marine biodiversity and biodiversity conservation is also very important because Philippines, archipelagic state made up of more than 7,100 islands, maintains existential link with ocean,” French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel said.Philippines and France are taking steps to strengthen cooperation in ensuring marine conservation, with key government officials from both countries holding first of a series of “Blue Talks” with local and foreign experts on biodiversity.
First conference was held last Wednesday. It was organized by Stratbase ADR Institute in partnership with embassy of France in the Philippines.
Fontanel explained Blue Talk conference is part of Blue Nations initiative, holistic program of bilateral cooperation between France and Philippines in perspective of working together as two maritime nations toward next United Nations Ocean Conference, will take place in France in June 2025.
“Purpose of this conference is to foster dialogue between all stakeholders in order to identify successful ways and ideas to help policymakers and every one of us to better protect and preserve biodiversity that we all depend on,” she stressed.
Fontanel announced second Blue Talk conference will take place on Nov. 21 and will explore possibility of having maritime dialogue between France and Philippines.
Stratbase ADR Institute president Dindo Manhit noted importance of working with like-minded states like France in protecting Philippine marine environment for future generations.
“Development of ‘blue economy’ is crucial step towards sustainable growth and today’s collaboration with embassy of France offers valuable opportunity to strengthen partnerships with like-minded nations,” he said.
He added that conference “underscored benefits of sustainable ocean use and conservation such as ensuring food security and boosting livelihoods and connectivity” as threat of climate change is constantly increasing.
Environment Undersecretary Ernesto Adobo Jr., who is also supervising Biodiversity Management Bureau, emphasized importance of collaborations between Philippines and France in enhancing political, scientific and civic engagement in environment protection, climate action, blue economy and maritime security.
“We need to ensure sustainability not only of our use of marine biodiversity, but also of our conservation, restoration and regeneration efforts…we can only do this through cooperation,” he said.
Environment official also said their cooperation with French embassy and Stratbase ADR Institute brought “triple planetary crisis” biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution into awareness of different sectors.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) National Maritime Center director Vice Admiral Roy Echeverria said one of the alarming threats in the Philippines is environmental collateral damage happening in West Philippine Sea (WPS) due to island building and construction and destructive fishing methods being conducted by some foreign fishermen.
“Philippine Coast Guard conducted underwater survey in some parts of West Philippine Sea, specifically in Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal, we found that Rozul Reef exhibits environment void of living organisms,on the other hand, Escoda Shoal presents noticeable color difference between top half of its sandbar and its portion that is submerged during low tide,” he said.
PCG official revealed two maritime areas have “deep-dead marine ecosystems with minimal to no presence of life forms,” warning that other areas of WPS may experience same fate.
PCG Maritime Security Law Enforcement Command head Vice Admiral Robert Patrimonio also reported that primary maritime security threat in the Philippines is “illegal unreported unregulated fishing” conducted by both local and foreign fishermen.
Other security threats include smuggling, illegal transport of forest products, dangerous drug trafficking, human trafficking, armed robbery at sea and piracy and hijacking.
“Addressing evolving maritime threats is shared responsibility for all of us to mitigate, if not suppress, such threats… precious information from our shipping and coastal communities, when shared to proper authorities, could be vital in revising policies, strategies and deployment of our very limited and precious resources,” Patrimonio said.
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