Palau Considers Expansion Tuna Agreement With Philippinesff

To avoid future problems between the Philippines and the Republic of Palau concerning possible violations into each others' territorial waters by fishing intrusions, top officials of both sides agreed to push for the formal signing of a Fishery of Agreement (FOA) between the two neighboring island Republics in south-west Pacific.

This developed after a high-level Palau delegation sat down with a Philippine counterpart panel last Saturday at Marco Polo Davao to discuss the long standing concern on both sides, which is the lack of a working fishery agreement between Palau and the Philippines.

Speaking for the Philippine panel, Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) national director Malcolm Sarmiento bewailed that despite the existence of a ministerial level agreement signed a few years back by Philippine and Palau government-representatives, it has not until now reached the point of forming a working committee to lay down the important details for a workable agreement that would allow fishing by Filipino fisherman inside Palau fishing waters.

Director Sarmiento strongly suggested during the meeting that both sides agree to form a working committee on the lower level, with representatives from key government agencies on both sides that will work out important details and guidelines that will serve as basis for a formal Fishery Agreement between the two countries.

His stand was supported by Asst. Secretary "Ley" Leyretana, MEDCO OIC, who pointed out the urgent need for an RP-Palau fishing agreement. He also facilitated the discussions between the Philippine and Palau panels tackling the agri-fishery sector.

On the other hand, Palau delegation head Billy Kuartel, chief of staff of the Palau president, and Palau Senator Alfonso Diaz, informed the meeting that their side is very much willing to enter into an agreement beneficial to both sides, including giving Filipino fishermen the right to fish within Palau territorial waters provided their organizations pay the Palau government the appropriate compensation.

According to Sen. Diaz, who chairs the Senate Committee on Resources, Trade and Development, Palau already has existing agreements with fishermen’s organizations, including those based in Gen. Santos City, which allow them to fish inside Palau waters.

He assured that a similar agreement can be entered into by the Palau government with a Davao-based fishing organization so that they too can avail of Palau's rich fishing grounds.