The Philippines has imposed a two-month fishing ban in a South China Sea shoal to help ease a tense standoff between Chinese and Philippine ships, according to AP. Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Director Asis Perez said the ban at Scarborough Shoal, northeast of the Philippines, started Wednesday and will end July 15. China, which also claims the shoal, declared a similar ban in the area from Wednesday to Aug. 1. Perez said the ban aims to prevent overfishing, protect fishermen from the coming storm season and help ease tensions amid the standoff, which began April 10. Despite the bans, Chinese and Philippine ships and fishing vessels have remained at the shoal while both governments negotiate their possible pullout from the area.
