ONBOARD BRP DAVAO DEL SUR: President Rodrigo Duterte has declared portions of Philippine Rise (Benham Rise) and Eastern Kalayaan as protected areas. The President was supposed to sail toward the Philippine Rise to lead the celebration of the first anniversary of his renaming of the area. Faith in PH scientistsAccording to the President, scientific activities would be vital in the protection and management of the Philippine Rise and its vast resources. Duterte renamed Benham Rise to Philippine Rise in May 2017, after Chinese vessels were discovered to be surveying the area. Apart from having a “100-percent coral cover,” Benham Rise is also the breeding area of the Pacific bluefin tuna, one of the world’s most expensive fish.

Source: Manila Times May 15, 2018 13:19 UTC