By Adrian Portugal

SUBIC, Philippines (Reuters) – Philippine fishermen fear that China’s plan to establish a nature reserve in the Scarborough Shoal could expose them to further harassment and make it even harder to operate in the disputed South China Sea atoll, which is already under the constant watch of Chinese vessels.

China has approved the creation of a national nature reserve at the shoal, which lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone but has been under Beijing’s control since 2012.

Filipino boats have reported frequent encounters with Chinese coast guard vessels when venturing near the shoal, prized for its rich fish stocks and a turquoise lagoon that offers refuge for vessels during storms.

“Even now there has been harassment … We will be bullied even more,” said

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