Since the United Nations' Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf recognized Benham Rise as the Philippines's newest territory in 2012, our country's territory has increased to 43 million hectares from 30 million hectares. Early oceanographic explorations since 2006 have shown that Benham Rise can be a significant source of food for Filipino fishermen since the area is known as a migration path of different fish including tuna. Last May 23, the group for the Benham Expedition 2016 sailed on the shallowest portion of the vast seamount, on board the government research vessel MV DA-BFAR.

Diverse marine life found in 2016 Benham Rise expedition. (2016, June 9). Manila Standard, p. C1.