In pictures: How a tribunal ruling may affect the fate of Filipino fishermen

This photo taken on 16 June, 2016 shows a fisherman fixing a net next to the fishing fleet at the port in Masinloc in Zambales province. — Image caption,
Parts of the South China Sea are claimed by both China and the Philippines, with the latter filing a complaint with an international tribunal over Chinese activity in the region. A long-awaited ruling on that complaint will be released on Tuesday.

A crew member of one of the the fishing boats where a former Philippine Marine officer and his volunteers were to set sail for the disputed Scarborough shoal, disembarks from the boat at a pier in Masinloc town, Zambales province, 230 kilometres (140 miles) from Scarborough Shoal.

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The Scarborough Shoal (called Huangyan Island in China) in the South China Sea is one of a few popular fishing ground among Filipino fishermen. It is about 160km (100 miles) from the Philippines and 800km from China.

A crew stacks ice into the boat's hull as Filipino fishermen prepare and resupply for another fishing trip to the Spratlys, on 10 July, 2016 in Mariveles, Bataan, Philippines

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One fishermen said that the shallow waters and reefs of the Scarborough Shoal mean that up to 200kg of fish can be caught in just over an hour.

Filipino fishermen prepare and resupply for another fishing trip to the Spratlys, on 10 July, 2016 in Mariveles, Bataan, Philippines

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But Filipino fishermen have had run-ins with Chinese ships and say their livelihoods are under threat.

Filipino fishermen prepare and resupply their boat for another fishing trip to the Spratlys, on 10 July, 2016 in Mariveles, Bataan, Philippines

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"I was angry at their gall to shoo us away when we were clearly inside Philippine territory", a 30-year-old fisherman (not pictured) who was allegedly chased away by Chinese boats, told news agency AFP.

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An expedition to the shoal costs nearly $2,000 (£1,500) per boat, money the boats owners cannot make back if they return with no catch.

Filipino fishermen prepare and resupply their boat for another fishing trip to the Spratlys, on July 10, 2016 in Mariveles, Bataan, Philippines.

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Observers say the ruling could favour the Philippines, though China has boycotted the tribunal saying it would not "accept, recognise or execute" the decision, meaning things might not improve for the fishermen either way.

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