The Spratly's, a group of 650 reefs, atolls and islands in the middle of South China Sea, has been a flashpoint of gunboat diplomacy and demarcation of international boundaries since 1933. China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Philippines and Malaysia all have competing claims and have established military bases in this area. The map on the right shows the Spratly region with the disputed area's among the 5 countries. So whats all the fuss about these rocks in the middle of the sea? Besides being in the middle of the busiest shipping lanes and an estimated 17 billion tons of oil reserves, the Spratly's is blessed with one of the world's most productive fishing areas.
Imagine fishing in the middle of uninhabited coral atolls plunging to depths of 2,500 meters hunting for big game fish. Trophy fish like Black Marlin, Sailfish, Yellowfin Tuna, Giant Trevally, Giant Grouper and Hammerhead Sharks are on the list of targeted species. Specialty bottom fishing at night to depths of 250 meters can net the elusive blunt nose six gill shark, baracouta and escolar. Since 2003, IGFA sponsored Labuan Intl GameFishing Tournament has been held in the Spratly's. I was fortunate enough to fish the malaysian spratly's in the 90's and it's truly a mecca for big game fishing enthusiasts. There are now fishing safari charters on modern fishing yacht's for 5 days of fishing to Malaysian held Swallow & Ardasier Reefs. Charters are available for the 2010 season. Send an email to: adventure@intrepid.ph
I think main reason why those countries are claiming Spratly islands aside from it's really belong to them is that, the benefits that can get from it. South China sea or West Philippine sea are really rich in natural resources.
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