Members of fisherfolk group Pamalakaya sail for a collective fishing expedition at Panatag Shoal, May 31, 2024. ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — The Philippines and Denmark are working to identify new fishing grounds for Filipinos in the Benham Rise and in the West Philippine Sea, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel said on Monday.

The year-long research will begin in 2025, with Danish experts also teaching Filipinos how to catch fish 300 to 400 feet below sea level, Laurel told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Makati.

“We are working on a project to identify new fishing grounds for our fisheries sa Benham Rise also sa Palawan sa West Philippine Sea kung saan tayo nakakatap ng additional resources,” he said.

“They (Denmark) will also introduce a new technique for fishing which is midwater trawling. Hindi tayo marunong noon at I think may marami pang isda na puwedeng mahuli sa midwater areas,” he said.

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A portion of the P200-million project will be financed through a grant from Denmark, but the Philippines needs to shoulder the refitting of one of its vessels, the agriculture chief said.

“Mayroon nang basic agreement. We just have to renew it again because medyo matagal na yung agreement and we have to update it,” he said, noting that a similar undertaking with the private sector was done before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The research project is one of Denmark’s ways to recognize Filipinos’ rights to fish in Philippine waters, Danish Ambassador to the Philippines Franz-Michael Mellbin said in a chance interview.

“There is a strong merit in making sure that Filipino fishermen have the right, the opportunity and the accessibility of catching Filipino fish,” he said, noting that Denmark “has strong expertise in pelagic fishing.”

“Traditionally, Filipino fishermen have been coastal oriented. This is a chance for them to move further out [the sea],” he said.

“Let’s make sure Filipino fishermen catch Filipino fish,” he said.

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Denmark is among the countries that are vocal in rebuking China’s presence and activities in areas that fall within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

“As a small nation of traders and sailors, it is no surprise that we agree to UNCLOS. As seafarer nations we have to stand up for that,” Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said in his speech during the event.

“It is not enough for our seas to be clean. Our seas need to be peaceful and governed by shared rules,” he said.

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The DA is looking to procure 5 fishing trawlers that will be deployed to the West Philippine Sea, Laurel said.

“We are looking at at least 5 fishing vessels, trawlers ito that would suit the area so that we will have a more active presence in commercial fishing,” the Filipino official said.

“It’s not against Chinese aggression. We are looking at catching more fish,” he said.

“This is a different method of fishing na i-introduce natin, hindi yung traditional natin na fishing net at mga hook and line fishing,” he said.

So far, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic resources has around 30 vessels, half of which are operating in the West Philippine Sea, he said.

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