Challenge 09: Skills, knowledge, and technology for all

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://repository.unesco.gov.ph/handle/123456789/26

Ocean Decade

Challenge 09:
Skills, knowledge, and technology for all

Ensure comprehensive capacity development and equitable access to data, information, knowledge and technology across all aspects of ocean science and for all stakeholders.

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 45

Metabolic responses of the scleractinian coral Porites cylindrica Dana to water motion. I. Oxygen flux studies
Rex, Augustus; Montebon, F.; Yap, Helen T. (Elsevier, 1995-03)
Nubbins of Porites cylindrica Dana collected from a shallow reef flat in the northwestern Philippines were studied for water motion effects. Specimens were maintained in field and laboratory high (HWM) and low (LWM) water motion setups. The average maintenance times were 93 and 77 days for the field and laboratory study, respectively, which were carried out in tandem. After each maintenance period, oxygen fluxes of the corals were measured with increasing stirring rates in a laboratory flow-through respirometry system under a constant light intensity. Photosynthesis-irradiance (P-I) curves were also determined for the laboratory maintained nubbins as well as for a set of control nubbins which were kept in the collection site for 71 days. In both HWM and LWM corals, maximum rates of net photosynthesis (NP) and respiration (R) were achieved upon increasing stirring rates or turbulence to a certain level, indicating that the boundary layer limiting oxygen diffusion had been reduced to a minimum. The LWM corals attained maximum photosynthetic rates at lower rates of water motion, suggesting greater photosynthetic efficiency at lower levels of turbulence than their HWM counterparts. Profiles of NP and R with increasing stirring rates were consistently depressed for the LWM corals. Significant differences between the HWM and LWM treatments were detected in the NP profiles of the field maintained corals and in the R profiles of the laboratory maintained nubbins. The small yet significant difference in the NP profiles of the field HWM and LWM corals was attributed to the subsaturating irradiance used in the laboratory measurements because P-I curves of the laboratory maintained corals showed a large and significant difference between water motion treatments (HWM > LWM) at higher irradiances. While exhibiting lower photosynthetic rates, LWM corals had proportionally lower respiration rates resulting in P:R values very close to those of the HWM corals. Results suggest that Porites cylindrica is able to maintain its metabolic efficiency despite changes in the water motion regime.
Topoisomerase II-Mediated DNA cleavage by adocia- and xestoquinones from the Philippine sponge Xestospongia sp.
Concepcion, Gisela; Foderaro, Tommaso A.; Eldredge, Glenn S.; Lobkovsky, Emil; Clardy, Jon; Barrows, Louis R.; Ireland, Chris M. (American Chemical Society (ACS), 1995-10)
Investigation of an orange Xestospongia sp. sponge collected at Cape Bolinao in northern Luzon, Philippines, yielded the known compounds adociaquinones A and B (1, 2) and six new metabolites, secoadociaquinones A and B (3, 4), 14-methoxyxestoquinone (5), 15-methoxyxestoquinone (6), 15-chloro-14-hydroxyxestoquinone (7), and 14-chloro-15-hydroxyxestoquinone (8). All compounds showed inhibition of topoisomerase II in catalytic DNA unwinding and/or decatenation assays. Furthermore, adociaquinone B showed activity in a KSDS assay, suggesting it inhibits the enzyme by freezing the enzyme-DNA cleavable complex. Interestingly, adociaquinone B did not displace ethidium bromide from DNA or unwind supercoiled DNA, implying it does not intercalate DNA.
Optimized agar extraction from Gracilaria eucheumoides Harvey
Villanueva, R. D.; Pagba, C. V.; Montaño, N. E. (Walter de Gruyter, 1997)
A 33 factorial experimental design was utilized to determine the optimum alkali pretreatment conditions in the extraction of agar from Gracilaria eucheumoides. Three levels from each of three factors were considered: Temperature, 70, 80, 90 °C; NaOH concentration, 4, 7, 10% and; treatment duration, 0.5, 1, 2 h. The optimum conditions were found to be 90 °C, 10% and 2 h. The gel strength of the agar yielded under these conditions was 432 ± 43 g/cm2. The effects of the different alkali pretreatment conditions to the agar yield and 3, 6-anhydrogalactose and sulphate contents were also determined. Agar yield was higher at lower temperature, stronger alkali solution and shorter treatment duration. Higher 3, 6-ahydrogalactose content and lower sulphate level were obtained at higher temperature, higher alkali concentration and longer duration of treatment.
Fisheries Administrative Order No. 225: Series of 2007. Allowing the importation of the broodstock of Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei and the culture of the offspring thereof.
(Department of Agriculture, 2007-01-08)
Fisheries Administrative Order No. 225-1: Series of 2007. Guidelines for the importation and culture of the Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei).
(Department of Agriculture, 2007-01-08)
Fisheries Administrative Order No. 226: Series of 2008. Regulation on the mesh size of tuna purse seine nets and trading of small tuna.
(Department of Agriculture, 2008-08-01)
This Administrative Order, consisting of 6 Sections, establishes the Regulation on the Mesh Size of Tuna Purse Seine Nets and Trading of Small Tuna. The following management and conservation measures to prescribe the mesh size of tuna purse seine nets in catching tuna and regulation on the trading of small tuna are promulgated to prohibit to any person, association, cooperative, partnership or corporation to operate tuna purse seine nets with mesh size smaller than 3.5 inches (8.89 cm) at the bag or bunt portion in catching tuna. It shall be unlawful also to trade small tuna caught beyond the bycatch ceiling. Violation of Section 2 of this order shall subject the offender to a fine of from 2,000.00 to 20,000.00 Pesos or imprisonment from six months to two years or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court; the boat captain and the master fisherman may also be subject to the penalties provided; the owner/operator of the commercial fishing vessel who violates this provision shall be subjected to the same penalties; the Department is empowered to impose upon the offender an administrative fine and/or cancel the fishing licence.
Fisheries Administrative Order No. 225-3: Series of 2008. Amending Section 1 of Fisheries Administrative Order No. 225-1 Series of 2007 as follows:
(Department of Agriculture, 2008-11-20)
Fisheries Administrative Order No. 225-2: Series of 2008. Amending Sections 2 and Section 3 of Fisheries Administative Order No. 225 Series of 2007 and providing for additional provision under Section 2 hereof.
(Department of Agriculture, 2008-11-20)
Fisheries Administrative Order No. 227: Series of 2008. Rules and regulations governing the export of fish and aquatic products to European Union member countries.
(Department of Agriculture, 2008-11-20)
This Order, consisting of 11 articles, establishes Rules and Regulations governing the Export of Fish and Live Aquatic Animals Products to European Member Countries. This Order lays down specific rules on the hygiene of processed and unprocessed FA products for business operators intending to export their products to the EU for human consumption. Unless specifically stated to the contrary, this Order does not apply to processed foods containing both products of plant origin and processed FA products. However, any processed FA products used to prepare such foods must be obtained and handled in accordance with the requirements of this Order. This Order must apply without prejudice to the general requirements of Republic Act No 8550, Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, and the following FAOs as applied to the harvesting, production, preparation and processing of FA products for domestic or non-EU markets: The Fishery and Aquaculture Business Operator Responsibilities (FABO) must comply with the requirements of the relevant provisions of the PD 856 - Code of Sanitation of the Philippines - and such additional provisions of this Order that are required by EU legislation from time to time in force. FABO must also comply with the relevant provisions in Chapters I to V of the Implementing Code of Practice for this Order ("The Code of GMP for Business Operators Exporting FA Products from the Philippines to the EU, 2008") and take all steps necessary to meet the food safety objectives set by this Order. In addition, FABO must ensure that all processed FA products exported to the EU comply with all relevant EU food safety legislation, in particular that relating to: (i) specified maximum levels for certain contaminants such as histamine, heavy metals, dioxins and PCB-like materials, and poly-cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, set out in Chapter III, Section II, Part VII of the Code of Practice referred to in paragraph 2; (ii) microbiological criteria; (iii) permitted veterinary drugs and maximum residues arising from their use; (iv) food contact materials; and (v) permitted food additives and their conditions of use.
Fisheries Administrative Order No. 231: Series of 2009. Amending Section1 a-1, a-2, a-4, d-1, d-3, and e-1 of Fisheries Administrative Order No. 225-1 Series of 2007 as follows:
(Department of Agriculture, 2009-12-03)
Fisheries Administrative Order No. 230-1: Series of 2009. Guidelines for the importation and culture of the broodstock and/or postlarvae of specific pathogen free/ specific pathogen resistant (SPF/SPR) black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) and culture of offspring thereof.
(Department of Agriculture, 2009-12-03)
Fisheries Administrative Order No. 233: Series of 2010. Aquatic wildlife conservation.
(Department of Agriculture, 2010-04-16)
This Administrative Order, consisting of 5 Chapters and 1 Annex, In line with Rule 37.1 of the Joint DENR-DA-PCSD Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2004, is promulgated pursuant to Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001. It creates several authorities entitled to carry out research, control and manage the aquatic wildlife sector, such as: the National Aquatic Wildlife Management Committee (NAWMC) and establishes their composition, duties and responsibilities. This Order is divided as follows: Structures and Individuals for the Conservation of Aquatic Wildlife (Chap. I); Utilization of Aquatic Wildlife (Scientific Research on Aquatic Wildlife) (Chap. II); Fees and Charges (Chap. III); Fines and Penalties (Chap. IV); Miscellaneous Provisions (Chap. V). The Annex lays down a Preliminary List of Economically Important Aquatic Organisms.
Fisheries Administrative Order No. 241: Series of 2012. Regulations and implementation of the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) in the high seas.
(Department of Agriculture, 2012)
Fisheries Administrative Order No. 245-4: Series of 2018. Regulations and implementing guidelines on group tuna purse seine operations in high seas pocket number 1 as a special management area.
(Department of Agriculture, 2018-07-25)
This Administrative Order covers the 36 Philippine registered traditional group seine fishing vessels granted access to the HSP1-SMA, having gross tonnage of not more than 250 GT issued with International Fishing Permits, and listed in the WCPFC record of fishing vessels. It applies only to HSP-1 SMA, which is the area of the high seas bounded by the EEZs of the Federated States of Micronesia to the north and east, Republic of Palau to the west, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea to the south with exact coordinates as used by WCPFC Vessel Monitoring. Fishing access to operate in HSP1-SMA is granted on the basis of compliance to specific criteria. Compatible measure for the high seas and exclusive economic zones (EEZs) are implemented so that bigeye, yellowfin and skipjack tuna stocks are, at a minimum,maintained at levels capable of producing their maximum sustainable yield, as qualified by relevant environmental and economic factors including the special requirements of developing States in the Convention Area as expressed by Article 5 of the Convention. The vessels or the fishing company shall notify BFAR through electronic or any means the entry and the exit the HSP-1 SMA. Likewise, this information shall be transmitted to the adjacent coastal States / Territories and WCPFC. The report should be in the following format: "VID/entry or Exit: Date/Time; Lat/Long." The vessels operating in HSP-1 SMA should report sightings of any fishing vessel to the BFAR and WCPFC Secretariat Such information shall include vessel type, date, time, position, markings, heading and speed. The Bureau shall maintain an updated list of all fishing vessels operating in the I-ISP-i SMA based on the foregoing vessel's entry and exit reports submitted to WCPFC. The list will be submitted to WCPFC and will be made available to WCPFC members and other concerned stakeholders through dedicated website, www.bfar.gov.ph. Any violations of the provisions of this Fisheries Administrative Order shall be penalized with fines and penalties specified in the text.
Fisheries Administrative Order No. 266: Series of 2020. Rules and regulations on the implementations of Vessel Monitoring Measures (VMM) and Electronic Reporting System (ERS) for commercial Philippine flagged fishing vessels amending FAO 260 Series of 2018.
(Department of Agriculture, 2020-10-12)
The objectives of this Order include: a. To enhance monitoring of fishing operations for fisheries management through the implementation of vessel monitoring measures. b. To enhance law enforcement to regulate the capture fisheries sector towards achieving long term resource sustainability. c. To implement vessel monitoring measures to track fishing behavior for scientific research and data. d. To establish a system that will facilitate law enforcement and aid in case building and prosecution of fisheries law violations. e. To gather data on fishing effort and catch data by means of an electronic reporting system which will serve as basis for fisheries management measures. f. To aid in the seafood traceability and catch documentary requirements of the government. g. To ensure safety for fishers thru a tracking device that would monitor the vessels' location during accidents and disasters. h. To implement policies embodied in Republic Act 8550, as amended by RA 10654 and its implementing rules and regulations, relating to the vessel monitoring requirements of fishing vessels. The Text consists of 26 Sections divided into 5 Chapters: General Provisions; lmpJementation of Vessel Monitoring Measures; Operational Requirements for Vessel Monitoring Measures; Penalties; Miscellaneous Provisions. All commercial catcher fishing vessels operating in Philippine waters and all fishing vessels in distant waters shall not engage in fishing activity without the vessel monitoring measures as established in FAO 260 and herein. The VMS shall apply to all licensed Philippine flagged commercial fishing vessels authorized by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to operate in the high seas and those fishing vessels with access rights to fish in other countries' exclusive economic zones. All catcher vessels 30 GT and above operating either in the high seas or with access rights to fish in other coastal states and/or fishing in the Philippine EEZ shall have an installed Electronic Reporting System which can connect to the VMS transceiver to send fishery information to BFAR. For all other vessels, a combination of onboard and port ERS systems shall be implemented to electronically capture and report catch information. As a prerequisite for registration or license renewal, all commercial fishing vessels must secure a certification confirming that: a. An accredited ALC has been installed and verified as fully operational by the Department of Agriculture- Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR). b. The ALC unit deployed has been accredited and certified as meeting the minimum standards set by the DA-BFAR. The Order further make provisions for: the main center for monitoring and gathering data for the purpose of this Order; data access; vessel monitoring measures in marine protected areas; minimum data requirements; accreditation of data systems and service provider; frequency of reporting: offences and penalties; etc.
Detection of horizontal gene transfer in the genome of the choanoflagellate Salpingoeca rosetta
Matriano, Danielle M.; Alegado, Rosanna A.; Conaco, Cecilia (Springer, 2021-03-16)
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT), the movement of heritable materials between distantly related organisms, is crucial in eukaryotic evolution. However, the scale of HGT in choanoflagellates, the closest unicellular relatives of metazoans, and its possible roles in the evolution of animal multicellularity remains unexplored. We identified at least 175 candidate HGTs in the genome of the colonial choanoflagellate Salpingoeca rosetta using sequence-based tests. The majority of these were orthologous to genes in bacterial and microalgal lineages, yet displayed genomic features consistent with the rest of the S. rosetta genome—evidence of ancient acquisition events. Putative functions include enzymes involved in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism, cell signaling, and the synthesis of extracellular matrix components. Functions of candidate HGTs may have contributed to the ability of choanoflagellates to assimilate novel metabolites, thereby supporting adaptation, survival in diverse ecological niches, and response to external cues that are possibly critical in the evolution of multicellularity in choanoflagellates.
We thank Joshua Dizon and Francis Tablizo of the Philippine Genome Center Core Facility for Bioinformatics for assistance with scripts and database construction. We thank Becca Lensing (University of Hawai’i), Cheryl Andam (University of New Hampshire), Deo Onda and Ron Leonard Dy (University of the Philippines) for insightful comments and suggestions on the analysis and interpretation of the data. This work was supported by thesis grants from the Department of Science and Technology Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program-National Science Consortium (DOST-ASTHRDP-NSC) and the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute to DM.
Sexual reproduction in the soft coral Lobophytum schoedei in Bolinao‐Anda Reef Complex, Pangasinan, northwestern Philippines
Baran, Christine C.; Baria‐Rodriguez, Maria Vanessa (Wiley, 2021-04-02)
The characterization of early life-history strategies of soft corals is important in understanding population maintenance, replenishment, and recovery in disturbed coral reefs. This study examined the sexual reproduction of the soft coral Lobophytum schoedei in the Bolinao-Anda Reef Complex (BARC), a degraded reef in northwestern Philippines. Reproductive strategies such as sexuality, sex ratio, fecundity, and reproductive timing were examined. Random colonies of L. schoedei were sampled a few weeks before the predicted time of spawning to assess fecundity (n = 73 colonies), and sexuality and sex ratio (n = 221 colonies). Monthly sampling of tagged colonies of L. schoedei (n = 20) was done over 13 months to determine the reproductive timing through polyp dissection. Peak of annual spawning was inferred based on the presence of large gametes and their absence in the next sampling period. Results showed that L. schoedei is a gonochoric broadcast spawner with 1:1.1 sex ratio. Although oogenesis and spermatogenesis exhibited overlapping cycles, both gametes matured and spawned in April, coinciding with increasing sea surface temperature. Prior to spawning, oocytes and spermaries ranged 300–633 µm and 150–337 µm in diameter, respectively. Mean female fecundity was 6.7 ± 3.9 oocytes per polyp and male fecundity was 39.2 ± 22.5 (±SD) spermaries per polyp. Some of these results, including the low number of oocytes produced by female polyps, may be caused by sexual reproduction in a degraded reef environment. Understanding these reproductive traits may be useful for predicting the resiliency of populations of L. schoedei in response to ongoing and future environmental change.
Thecal tabulation, body scale morphology and phylogeny of Heterocapsa philippinensis sp. nov. (Peridiniales, Dinophyceae) from the Philippines
Benico, Garry; Lum, Wai Mun; Takahashi, Kazuya; Yñiguez, Aletta T.; Iwataki, Mitsunori (Elsevier, 2021-08)
The thecal tabulation and body scale structure of the marine armoured dinoflagellate Heterocapsa, isolated from Philippines, were examined using LM, SEM and TEM, and its phylogenetic position was inferred from ITS and LSU rDNA sequences. Cells were ovoid and the plate tabulation (Po, cp, X, 5′, 3a, 7′′, 6c, 5s, 5′′′, 2′′′′) was consistent with most Heterocapsa species. The second anterior intercalary plate (2a) had a circular pattern with a thick marginal border free of pores. The nucleus was longitudinally elongated and curved, and located at the dorsal side of the cell. Discoid lobes of brownish chloroplast were peripherally distributed, and a pyrenoid was positioned at the centre. The triradiate body scales, measuring 250–300 nm in diameter, consisted of a roundish basal plate with six radiating ridges, nine peripheral uprights/spines, and three radiating spines. These components were identical to those of H. pseudotriquetra and H. steinii, except for the roundish outline of basal plate. Molecular phylogeny showed that the species clustered with H. pseudotriquetra and H. steinii. This species was differentiated from all other Heterocapsa species in the sausage-shaped nucleus and circular pattern on the 2a plate. This study proposed a novel species Heterocapsa philippinensis sp. nov. for the isolate.
Limited progress in improving gender and geographic representation in coral reef science
Ahmadia, Gabby N.; Cheng, Samantha H.; Andradi-Brown, Dominic A.; Baez, Stacy K.; Barnes, Megan D.; Bennett, Nathan J.; Campbell, Stuart J.; Darling, Emily S.; Gill, David; Gress, Erika; Gurney, Georgina G.; Horigue, Vera; Jakub, Raymond; Kennedy, Emma V.; Mahajan, Shauna L.; Mangubhai, Sangeeta; Matsuda, Shayle B.; Muthiga, Nyawira A.; Navarro, Michael O.; Santodomingo, Nadia; Vallès, Henri; Veverka, Laura; Villagomez, Angelo; Wenger, Amelia S.; Wosu, Adaoma (Frontiers Media SA, 2021-09-29)
Despite increasing recognition of the need for more diverse and equitable representation in the sciences, it is unclear whether measurable progress has been made. Here, we examine trends in authorship in coral reef science from 1,677 articles published over the past 16 years (2003–2018) and find that while representation of authors that are women (from 18 to 33%) and from non-OECD nations (from 4 to 13%) have increased over time, progress is slow in achieving more equitable representation. For example, at the current rate, it would take over two decades for female representation to reach 50%. Given that there are more coral reef non-OECD countries, at the current rate, truly equitable representation of non-OECD countries would take even longer. OECD nations also continue to dominate authorship contributions in coral reef science (89%), in research conducted in both OECD (63%) and non-OECD nations (68%). We identify systemic issues that remain prevalent in coral reef science (i.e., parachute science, gender bias) that likely contribute to observed trends. We provide recommendations to address systemic biases in research to foster a more inclusive global science community. Adoption of these recommendations will lead to more creative, innovative, and impactful scientific approaches urgently needed for coral reefs and contribute to environmental justice efforts.
We acknowledge the contributions of the many unrecognized and undervalued individuals in coral reef research whose efforts have made it possible for the field to progress. These scientists have collected data, translated across languages, coordinated field work, welcomed foreign visitors to their countries, shared ideas, trained and mentored students, become friends, inspired, and built the foundation for the discipline we know today. We acknowledge the work of all coral reef scientists who continue day after day to pursue equity, inclusion, and justice in the field and for their colleagues and themselves.
Spatial planning insights for Philippine coral reef conservation using larval connectivity networks
Pata, Patrick R.; Yñiguez, Aletta T. (Frontiers Media SA, 2021-10-06)
The marine habitats of the Philippines are recognized to be some of the most biodiverse systems globally yet only 1.7% of its seas are designated as marine protected areas (MPAs) with varying levels of implementation. Many of these MPAs were established based on local-scale conservation and fisheries objectives without considering larger-scale ecological connections. The connectivity of reefs through larval dispersal is important in the regional-scale resilience against anthropogenic disturbances and is considered a significant criterion in planning for MPAs. In this study, we provide insights into the delineation of ecologically connected MPA networks using larval dispersal modeling and network analysis. We characterized the network properties of the Philippine coral reefs, organized as 252 reef nodes, based on the larval connectivity networks of a branching coral, sea urchin, and grouper. We then evaluated the distribution of the existing 1,060 MPAs relative to the connectivity patterns. All reef nodes were found to be highly interconnected with a mean shortest path ranging from 1.96 to 4.06. Reef nodes were then ranked according to their relative importance in regional connectivity based on five connectivity indices. Despite the between-organism and between-index variability in rankings, there were reefs nodes, mostly located offshore and at major straits, which consistently ranked high. We found that the distribution of existing MPAs partially capture some of the regional connectivity functions but there is a spatial mismatch between the primarily coastal MPAs and the high-ranking reef nodes. Furthermore, network partitioning identified subnetworks and dispersal barriers. The existing MPAs were found to be disproportionately distributed to a few subnetworks and that the largest subnetworks do not contain the greatest number of MPAs. Considering these gaps, we suggest expanding the coverage of protected areas especially in underrepresented reef networks to meaningfully capture national-scale connectivity and meet global conservation objectives.
We would like to thank Dr. Vera Horigue and Andrew Torres for constructive comments and suggestions during the early versions of this paper. We also thank the members of the Biological Oceanography and Modeling of Ecosystems (BiOME) Laboratory who assisted in running model simulations.