Passport for fishes? Netizens poke fun at Sotto’s fish remark

MANILA, Philippines – Spot anything fishy on the internet today?

Netizens took to social media to express what they thought about the remark of Senate President Vicente Sotto III that Chinese fishermen can fish in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) because it was difficult to claim “exclusivity” of fish found underwater.

While Sotto had already clarified that his statement was tongue-in-cheek, netizens were quick to poke fun at Sotto’s comment, sharing memes about how fishes might have to use passports when crossing over to different countries’ territories. 

How to determine citizenship of ? Asking for a senator.

— K (@Legally_K) June 27, 2019

Some mused if immigration lines were just as long underwater as they are on land.

Others reimagined how Sotto’s tongue-in-cheek remark might mean nationalities and citizenship for fishes, along with names that are more representative of their country of origin. Another meme made a play on words using Filipino names of fishes, supposedly adopted and adjusted by China.

Some netizens wondered if fishes from different countries can be identified according to their appearance. Ethel Booba posted a photo of herself in a mermaid costume, joking that she was an “exclusive type of fish found only in the Philippines.”

Exclusive type of fish found only in the Philippines. Charot! pic.twitter.com/hmM33b4Unk

— Ethel Booba (@IamEthylGabison) June 27, 2019

Did you find Sotto’s comment a little fishy? Found memes about it swimming in the internet? Drop the links in the comments! – Rappler.com