MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines does not recognize the annual fishing ban China is set to enforce in waters including the West Philippine Sea beginning tomorrow, but may impose its own temporary fishing restriction to stave off depletion of local fish stock.

“Our position is we do not recognize China’s fishing ban inasmuch as portions of the ban encompass our exclusive economic zone (EEZ),” Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said yesterday in a statement.

“The President, however, has decided that, in view of the accelerated depletion of our marine resources, it would be advisable for us to issue our own fishing ban for a period of time to replenish our fish stock,” Del Rosario said.

China’s fishing ban will last until Aug. 1.

An official from the South China Fisheries Administration Bureau has confirmed the ban would include waters around Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, only 124 nautical miles from Zambales and well within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile EEZ and continental shelf.

The Philippines cites the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in contesting China’s claim over Panatag, which the latter calls Huangyan Island.

China invokes ancient maps and historical texts in pressing its claims.

In Davao City, President Aquino said there is no problem with China’s fishing ban as long as it covers only its own fishermen and is done outside Philippine territory.

“Thank you kung i-impose nila doon sa mga tao nila dahil sa totoo lang mas konti iyung ating mangingisdang nagpupunta diyan (Thank you, if they would impose it only on their own people because we actually have fewer fishermen going there),” he told reporters in a chance interview at the Grand Regal Hotel here.

He said Chinese fishermen come in large vessels and some were even using destructive fishing methods, unlike Filipino fishermen who were mostly in small boats.

“BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic resources) is supposed to be using some device that will improve fishing conditions elsewhere for our fishermen from the Zambales area – especially in Masinloc – and some in the Pangasinan area also,” he said.

He added that a fishing ban will also help improve the quality of waters and marine life.

“We want to help the ecosystem recover, and a ban would help in the recovery process,” Aquino said.

He said the Philippine Coast Guard and the BFAR have reported “discoloration” in the waters in and around the shoal.

He said negotiations are underway to resolve the Panatag standoff.

“It’s still too early to say na lumiwanag na ang sitwasyon pero at least medyo mas nalalapit tayo doon sa pagliwanag ng sitwasyon at pag-resolba nga nito (if the situation has become clearer but at least we’re getting nearer to resolving this) using diplomatic means which was what we have stated from the very beginning,” he pointed out.

Aquino said he is awaiting recommendation from his legal team on the Philippine proposal to have the Panatag issue tackled by the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).

“Secretary Del Rosario had given our legal consultants terms of reference and they will be coming back to us after they finish their study,” he explained.

Also yesterday, the Chief Executive revealed he has been interviewing candidates for the post of ambassador to China.

“I’m interviewing people but I haven’t chosen a singular entity. We’re trying to accelerate that process. But given the complexities of our relationship with China right now, it has to really be somebody who is the best that we can produce,” Aquino said.

Malacañang also welcomed yesterday Australia’s statement urging nations with claims to the disputed island territories in the South China Sea to refer to international conventions and law for resolution.

“We certainly welcome the statement from Australia. It supports the position we have taken that the dispute can be settled through a peaceful and diplomatic resolution and through international laws,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

“We don’t take a side on the various claims over the South China Sea. But we do, given our interest in the South China Sea, and given the fact that a large proportion of our trade travels through it, we do call on governments to clarify and pursue those claims and accompanying maritime rights in accordance with international law, including the (UNCLOS),” Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr said on Saturday while meeting with Shanghai officials.

Earlier, the Philippines had said that it was prepared to defend its position on the West Philippine Sea before an international body like ITLOS. Delon Porcalla, Evelyn Macairan, Jaime Laude, Aurea Calica, Helen Flores