MANILA - Advocacy group Oceana on Friday urged government to stop reclamation efforts in Manila Bay to protect marine life in the area after a new sardine species was discovered.

In a statement, Oceana belied claims that Manila Bay's ecosystem is dying, saying that a new sardine species called Sardinella pacifica has been discovered in the body of water and other parts of the country.

"We appeal to President Rodrigo Duterte to stop all reclamation projects lined up in Manila Bay," Oceana Philippines Vice President Gloria Estenzo Ramos said.

"This can be the legacy of your administration – that you were able to save the rich ecosystem of Manila Bay that carries national and natural heritage significance, especially with the discovery of this new sardine species in the Philippine waters."

Government earlier initiated rehabilitation efforts at the polluted bay.

Oceana cited a peer-reviewed journal article by Japanese taxonomists who said the new species of sardines are currently found only in the Philippines.

The group added that Manila Bay was identified as "a spawning area of sardines" and "one of the main fishing grounds of artisanal fisherfolk" by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

“These projects violate our Constitutional right to balanced and healthful ecology, as well as our fisheries and environmental laws. We are hoping that our government will listen to the people," Ramos said.

"They will be facing even more harm and danger than they are experiencing now as consequences of flooding, subsidence of our coastal communities and the climate crisis."

Oceana will hold a People's Summit on Reclamation on March 26 to 27 to discuss scientific studies and legal review with government, scientists, legal experts, urban poor and coastal communities in Manila Bay.

Two large-scale reclamation projects have applied for necessary permits to develop portions of Manila Bay.

• Gov’t yet to approve 2 large-scale reclamation projects for Manila Bay

The Solar City Reclamation Project will cover some 148 hectares, while the Waterfront City Reclamation Project will cover around 318 hectares in the polluted bay.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu earlier said the government will have to review these reclamation projects before deciding on whether or not to allow them to proceed.

• Dredging operations in Manila Bay begin