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.

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A multi-framework analysis of stakeholders’ perceptions in developing a localized blue carbon ecosystems strategy in Eastern Samar, Philippines
Quevedo, Jay Mar D.; Ferrera, Charissa M.; Faylona, Marie Grace Pamela G.; Kohsaka, Ryo (Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2024-01-25)
Blue carbon ecosystems (BCEs) are vital for global climate change mitigation and offer diverse local ecosystem co-benefits. Despite existing literatures on integrating national and international BCE agendas at the local level, the development and implementation of localized BCE strategies often lag behind. To provide insights on this knowledge gap, we present a case study conducted in Eastern Samar, Philippines. Employing a multi-framework analysis- encompassing DPSIR (drivers, pressures, state, impact, responses), SOAR (strengths, opportunities, aspirations, results), and PESTLE (political, economic, social, technological, legal, environmental) frameworks, stakeholder perceptions collected from focus group discussions highlight issues and challenges in developing and implementing a BCE strategy. Findings reveal that the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 in the study sites stimulated conservation efforts and raised awareness, but governance structures and policy enforcement influence the success and longevity of management and conservation efforts. Through the integration of multiple frameworks, this study outlined a potential localized BCE strategy, emphasizing both internal priorities such as stakeholder engagement and alternative livelihoods and external priorities related to policy and technological supports. While developed based on a specific case study in the Philippines, the proposed strategy is presented in a general manner, enabling its potential replication in other provinces in the Philippines or in countries with similar geographic settings.
Assessing the efficiency of microplastics extraction methods for tropical beach sediments and matrix preparation for experimental controls
Bonita, Jan Danielle P.; Gomez, Norchel Corcia F.; Onda, Deo Florence L. (Frontiers Media SA, 2023-11-03)
Introduction: Microplastic pollution has become a global issue, eliciting attention not just from the scientific community but also both from the public and governmental bodies. Drawing data-driven policies and interventions, however, remain difficult due to the severely lacking baseline information from different environments such as beaches. One of the challenges in doing baseline studies is the lack of harmonized methodologies that will allow for comparison of results, integration of data, and its effective translation to evidence-based policies. Emphasis on quality control measures among baselining efforts through the proper implementation of experimental controls is also lacking. Methodology: To address these gaps, we compared methodologies for preparing the sediment matrix for experimental controls, as well as evaluated protocols for extracting microplastics from tropical beach sediments. Beach sediments were collected, dried, sieved, and spiked with known amounts of microplastics of different polymer types. The removal and extraction efficiencies of the protocols being compared were evaluated. Results and discussion: Our results showed that subjecting beach sediments to a furnace at 550° C for 4 hours is the most efficient way to remove plastic contamination, implying its applicability for preparing experimental controls. Meanwhile, a modified version of Masura et al. (2015), one of the widely cited methodologies for microplastics extraction, exhibited the highest mean extraction efficiency (99.05 ± 0.82%) among the protocols being compared. Results of this work will be useful in identifying methods that can be adopted and utilized for research and baselining efforts not just in the Philippines but also in Southeast Asia. This will also be helpful in the harmonization of methods, data reporting, and even skills as implemented through the regional and national action plans to address marine plastic pollution.
The authors would like to thank the members of the Microbial Oceanography Laboratory of the University of the Philippines, The Marine Science Institute, especially Mark Prudente and Kim John Balboa who provided assistance during the conduct of the experiment, and the staff and administrative personnel of the Bolinao Marine Laboratory.
Asterocladon ednae sp. nov. (Asterocladales, Phaeophyceae) from the Philippines
Sasagawa, Eriko; Santiañez, Wilfred John E.; Kogame, Kazuhiro (Wiley, 2022-06-21)
Members of the brown algal order Asterocladales are characterized by stellate arrangement of its chloroplasts, in which a stellate configuration has a protruding central pyrenoid complex. The order is represented by the genus Asterocladon, which consists of only three species so far. Similar to other small and filamentous seaweeds, studies on Asterocladon remain scant and their diversity poorly understood. To fill this gap, we conducted molecular-assisted taxonomic studies on Asterocladon based on seven culture isolates collected from Okinawa Prefecture, Japan and Cebu, the Philippines. One culture isolate from the Philippines was revealed to be a new species of Asterocladon based on morpho-anatomical and molecular analyses using rbcL and psaA genes and is described here as Asterocladon ednae. The other isolates were attributed to A. rhodochortonoides. A. ednae was most closely related to A. rhodochortonoides in morphology and molecular phylogeny but was distinguished from the latter by its elongately ellipsoid plurilocular sporangia. This is the first report of the genus and species A. ednae in the Philippines, further increasing the diversity of seaweeds in the country.
Contrasting reproductive strategies between stress-tolerant and competitive coral taxa
Bonilla, K. G.; Guest, J. R.; Baria-Rodriguez, M. V. (Springer, 2023-04-19)
Reproductive traits such as fecundity (i.e., the number of gametes produced) and the size and age of coral colonies at reproductive onset can vary in predictable ways among life history strategies. However, most studies on the onset of reproductive maturity in corals only report the presence or absence of oocytes with little known about variation in fecundity across size and age classes. This study aimed to determine the colony size and fecundity at the onset of reproductive maturity across size classes of two scleractinian corals with contrasting life history strategies, Acropora millepora (competitive) and Favites colemani (stress-tolerant). Colonies at a site in northwestern Philippines were sampled to determine the smallest colony size class with mature oocytes and to estimate fecundity across size classes. Histological slides were also prepared to verify the presence of mature gametes. Colonies were able to produce mature oocytes when they had attained colony diameters of 4.7 cm for A. millepora and 1.5 cm for F. colemani. A. millepora had lower fecundity, but larger oocytes compared to F. colemani. Although small colonies can contribute to the larval pool, the proportion of mature colonies increased for larger size classes, suggesting that larger colonies make a disproportionately greater contribution to population reproductive output. These findings contribute to our understanding of coral population dynamics, particularly in parameterizing population and demographic models for different coral life histories.
We are grateful to Christine Baran, Jue Alef Lalas, Jerry Arboleda, Gabriel de Guzman, the students and research assistants of Community and Ecology and Interactions of Marine Bionts and Benthic Ecosystems Laboratories for their valuable assistance during field and laboratory works, Darryl Valino for the site map, and Liam Lachs for the assistance on the statistical analyses. This research was supported by the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute’s In-house project, Department of Science and Technology – ASTHRDP Thesis Grant, and University of the Philippines – Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs’ Balik Ph.D. project (OVPAA-BPhD-2018-02).
Creation of an international laboratory network towards global microplastics monitoring harmonisation
Bakir, Adil; McGoran, Alexandra R.; Silburn, Briony; Russell, Josie; Nel, Holly; Lusher, Amy L.; Amos, Ruth; Shadrack, Ronick S.; Arnold, Shareen J.; Castillo, Cecy; Urbina, Joaquin F.; Barrientos, Eduardo; Sanchez, Henry; Pillay, Keshnee; Human, Lucienne; Swartbooi, Tarryn; Cordova, Muhammad Reza; Sani, Sofia Yuniar; Wijesinghe, T. W. A. Wasantha; Amarathunga, A. A. Deeptha; Gunasekara, Jagath; Somasiri, Sudarshana; mahatantila, Kushani; Liyanage, Sureka; Müller, Moritz; Hee, Yet Yin; Onda, Deo Florence; Jansar, Khairiatul Mardiana; Shiraz, Zana; Amir, Hana; Mayes, Andrew G. (Nature Research, 2024-06-03)
Infrastructure is often a limiting factor in microplastics research impacting the production of scientific outputs and monitoring data. International projects are therefore required to promote collaboration and development of national and regional scientific hubs. The Commonwealth Litter Programme and the Ocean Country Partnership Programme were developed to support Global South countries to take actions on plastics entering the oceans. An international laboratory network was developed to provide the infrastructure and in country capacity to conduct the collection and processing of microplastics in environmental samples. The laboratory network was also extended to include a network developed by the University of East Anglia, UK. All the laboratories were provided with similar equipment for the collection, processing and analysis of microplastics in environmental samples. Harmonised protocols and training were also provided in country during laboratory setup to ensure comparability of quality-controlled outputs between laboratories. Such large networks are needed to produce comparable baseline and monitoring assessments.
Decadal stability in coral cover could mask hidden changes on reefs in the East Asian Seas
Chan, Y. K. S.; Affendi, Y. A.; Ang, P. O.; Baria-Rodriguez, M. V.; Chen, C. A.; Chui, A. P. Y.; Glue, M.; Huang, H.; Kuo, C-Y.; Kim, S. W.; Lam, V. Y. Y.; Lane, D. J. W.; Lian, J. S.; Lin, S. M. N. N.; Lunn, Z.; Nañola, C. L.; Nguyen, V. L.; Park, H. S.; Sutthacheep, M.; Vo, S. T.; Vibol, O.; Waheed, Z.; Yamano, H.; Yeemin, T.; Yong, E.; Kimura, T.; Tun, K.; Chou, L. M.; Huang, D. (Springer, 2023-06-10)
Coral reefs in the Central Indo-Pacific region comprise some of the most diverse and yet threatened marine habitats. While reef monitoring has grown throughout the region in recent years, studies of coral reef benthic cover remain limited in spatial and temporal scales. Here, we analysed 24,365 reef surveys performed over 37 years at 1972 sites throughout East Asia by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network using Bayesian approaches. Our results show that overall coral cover at surveyed reefs has not declined as suggested in previous studies and compared to reef regions like the Caribbean. Concurrently, macroalgal cover has not increased, with no indications of phase shifts from coral to macroalgal dominance on reefs. Yet, models incorporating socio-economic and environmental variables reveal negative associations of coral cover with coastal urbanisation and sea surface temperature. The diversity of reef assemblages may have mitigated cover declines thus far, but climate change could threaten reef resilience. We recommend prioritisation of regionally coordinated, locally collaborative long-term studies for better contextualisation of monitoring data and analyses, which are essential for achieving reef conservation goals.
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.
Development of autonomous multi-sensor ocean monitoring instrument designed for complex archipelagic waters
Purba, Noir P.; Faizal, Ibnu; Valino, Darryl Anthony; Kang, Hooi Siang; Sugianto, Erik; martasuganda, marine kenzi; Abimanyu, A.; Bratasena, T.; Zenyda, K. S.; Prayogo, N.; Ramdhani, F.; Khan, A. M. A. (Springer, 2023-01-22)
This paper presents the development of low-cost multi-sensor ocean monitoring instrument to measure oceanographic parameters. The aim of this instrument is to fulfil the monitoring specifically for archipelagic countries with complex waters, and it allows for both vertical and horizontal measurements. The platform contains removable sensors, rechargeable batteries, satellite system, and micro-controller. Inside the instrument, the probes are primarily to measure acidity level (pH), water temperature (°C), salinity (ppt), conductivity (ms/cm), turbidity (NTU), and depth (m). Furthermore, data are stored in an internal SD card and simultaneously transmitted to a website portal data via satellite after it goes to the surface water. For validation, several tests had been conducted in controlled laboratory conditions and field setting, in which the test results had shown satisfactory results. In the future, the system will be upgraded by adding extra units of antenna, chlorophyll sensors, and a power changer made from thrusters. Currently, this instrument is operational and available for use in archipelagic countries with dynamics depth.
Development of the ARHEA was funded by AIS (Archipelagic Island State) Grant 2020–2021. This research is a collaboration between MEAL UNPAD, MOCEAN, and PT Robomarine Indonesia. We would like to thank the KOMITMEN Research Group. Arnisa, Sarah, Adli Attamimi, and Jaya Kelvin had been tremendously helpful in ofering scientifc and outreach guidance throughout the project.
Diversity and novelty of venom peptides from Conus (Asprella) rolani revealed by analysis of its venom duct transcriptome
Taguchi, Ryoichi; Masacupan, Dan Jethro; Lluisma, Arturo (Philippine-American Academy of Science and Engineering, 2024-04-22)
Conus species in the sub-genus Asprella are poorly studied because they inhabit deep-water habitats. To date, only a few peptides have been characterized from this clade. In this study, the venom duct transcriptome of a member of this clade, Conus rolani, was mined for potential conopeptides. Using a highthroughput RNA sequencing platform (Illumina) and a multiple k-mer de novo assembly, we found 103 putative conopeptide precursor amino acid sequences, including the few peptides previously reported for this species. The sequences, predominantly novel based on amino acid sequence, were diverse, comprising 36 gene superfamilies (including the “unassigned” superfamilies). As observed in other Conus species, the O1 gene superfamily was the most diverse (12 distinct sequences) but interestingly none of the sequences were found to contain the conserved amino acids associated with certain bioactivities in peptides found in piscivorous Conus species. The O2 superfamily was also highly diverse but conikot-ikot and an unassigned superfamily (MMSRMG) were more diverse than the rest of the superfamilies. In terms of gene expression levels, the understudied MEFRR paralog of the ancestral divergent M---L-LTVA superfamily was found to be the most highly expressed in the transcriptome, suggesting a novel role. Additionally, a conopeptide with high sequence similarity to A2 secretory group XII phospholipases is the first reported member of this phospholipase group in Conus and potentially represents a novel superfamily, expanding the catalog of known phospholipases present in cone snail venoms. The discovery of these putative conopeptides provides the first but early glimpse of the diversity and novelty of the peptides in the Asprella group and sets the stage for their functional characterization.
This work was funded by the Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD). The collection of C. rolani samples was made possible under Gratuitous Permit No. 0252- 23 granted by the Department of Agriculture — Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Philippines (DA-BFAR). The fieldwork was done with the help of Olango island fishermen, led by Antonio Mosqueda. We extend our gratitude to Antonio Catalig, Zae-Zae Aguinaldo, Kreighton Cadorna, Jonathan Wong, and Niño Dan Posadas for troubleshooting and assisting in the generation of the figures.
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. 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. 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. 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: 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.