We should not give Japan the right to fish in our waters. (“The ultimate treason,” Philippine Daily Inquirer, 4/14/08)
Japan’s fishing boats are very hi-tech. I have been aboard a few of them. They search for fish using the latest in sonar technology. Some of their ships are factories that process and can their catch right on board; others can freeze fish in five seconds for storage.
Our little fishing boats are simply no match to those of the Japanese. Already, our municipal fish catch is declining, and millions of Filipino fishermen live on a few kilos of catch a day.
If the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) pushes through, millions could lose their livelihood, and the price of fish could go way, way up.
JONATHAN C. FOE, 931 Ma. Cristina, Sampaloc, Manila
