The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) office in MIMAROPA on Friday advised fishermen and other seafarers to temporarily avoid sailing and fishing in areas of the West Philippine Sea and nearby waters on Aug. 4, 2026, due to the scheduled launch of a Chinese satellite. WPS FISHERMEN COMPOSITE IMAGE: Jerome Cristobal / Inquirer stock and file photos
CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) office in MIMAROPA on Friday advised fishermen and other seafarers to temporarily avoid sailing and fishing in areas of the West Philippine Sea and nearby waters on Aug. 4 due to the scheduled launch of a Chinese satellite.
In an advisory issued in coordination with the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), BFAR said fishing and maritime activities will be temporarily prohibited from 4:44 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 4, in designated “drop zones” where rocket debris from China’s Long March 8A launch could fall.
READ: Chinese rocket debris possibly fell near Northern Luzon – PhilSA
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The satellite will be launched from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan, China.
The affected maritime areas include Patag Island, Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), Busuanga in Palawan, Puerto Princesa City, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Pangutaran Island in Sulu, and Hadji Muhtamad in Basilan.
BFAR clarified that the designated drop zones are not expected to include inhabited land areas within Philippine territory. However, authorities warned that falling rocket debris could pose risks to ships, fishing boats, and other vessels passing through the affected waters during the launch window.
The agency also noted that remnants of the rocket could remain afloat and eventually drift toward nearby coastlines.
PhilSA advised the public not to approach, retrieve, or handle any suspected rocket debris because it may contain hazardous substances, including residual rocket fuel. If handling is unavoidable, the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is recommended.
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Authorities urged fishermen, coastal residents, and the public to immediately report any suspected rocket debris found at sea or on land to the nearest local government or law enforcement authorities.
MIMAROPA or Region IV-B is made up of the provinces of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan./coa
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