National Committee on Marine Sciences (NCMS)
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- Sea turtle rescued in CagayanVisaya, Vince Jacob (The Manila Times Publishing Corporation, 2025-05-19)An adult Olive ridley sea turtle, accidentally caught by a local fisherman in the coastal waters of Abulug, Cagayan, was examined and released back into the sea on Thursday, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) reported on Sunday. The turtle, measuring 67 centimeters long and 61 centimeters wide, was unintentionally caught by Epo Cabayu, a fisherman from Siguiran village.
- Women's role in fisheries highlighted in MarchOladive, Mariela Angella (Daily Guardian Multi-Media Services, Inc., 2025-03-04)As the country celebrates National Women’s Month this March, the Department of Agriculture Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 6 (DA-BFAR 6) is emphasizing the vital role of women in the fisheries sector across Western Visayas. Data from the Fisherfolk Registration System (FishR) reveals that women make up a significant portion of registered fisherfolk in the region. Guimaras has the highest percentage of women fisherfolk at 40%, followed by Capiz at 39% and Iloilo at 38%.
- Navy to escort DENR in establishing WPS marine research stationsLee-Brago, Pia; Clapano, Jose Rodel (Philippine Star Printing Co., Inc., 2025-03-19)The Philippine Navy will escort the Department of Natural Resources (DENR) in establishing additional marine scientific research stations in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). The DENR announced it will conduct integrated research on biodiversity conservation at the Recto Bank and Rizal Reef in April, and plans to establish a marine scientific research station in Pag-asa Island, complementing its existing and upcoming stations at Tubbataha Reef, Snake Island in Palawan and the Verde Island Passage.
- Amid WPS tension, Zambales fishers receive 'Payao' donationAglibot, Joanna Rose (Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc., 2024-10-02)Some fishermen here were dismayed after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., during his third State of the Nation Address (Sona), failed to mention his plans for fishermen whose lives were affected by the presence of the Chinese Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). In a telephone interview on Monday, Leonardo Cuaresma, president of the New Masinloc Fishermen Association, acknowledged the President’s efforts to pay tribute to Filipino fishermen and soldiers guarding the WPS.
- Probe SC ruling favoring commercial fishersSubingsubing, Krixia (Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc., 2025-01-30)Opposition lawmakers have asked the House of Representatives to look into the “adverse impacts” of a recent Supreme Court ruling allowing commercial fishing in municipal waters. ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel filed on Jan. 28 House Resolution No. 2202 asking the committee on aquaculture and fisheries resources to look into the matter.
- Reproductive biology and early life history of the solitary coral Heliofungia actiniformis from Singapore and the PhilippinesSayco, Sherry Lyn G; Prasetia, Rian; Todd, Peter A.; Loya, Yossi; Valencia, Brian; Calle, Lala Grace; Cabaitan, Patrick C. (Springer, 2024-01-13)Reproduction and early life history are central to understanding the biology and ecology of organisms, however such information is limited for solitary corals. Here, we compared the reproductive traits of the solitary coral Heliofungia actiniformis from different latitudinal locations (Singapore, 1°N and the Philippines, 16°N) and examined their early life development, settlement competency, and juvenile growth and survival. A total of 32 corals from Pulau Hantu reefs in Singapore and 102 corals from Bolinao and Anda reefs in the Philippines were studied between 2019 and 2022. Heliofungia actiniformis broadcasts spawned gametes during several nights, generally between 22:00 and 01:00, before and after full moon, from February to May in Singapore and from March to June in the Philippines. Spawning within a month occurred for up to 16 nights in Singapore and 10 nights in the Philippines. Sex change in two individuals between years was observed in the Philippines. The average egg size was smaller in Singapore than that in the Philippines. We determined that eggs were fertilized within 2 h after sperm addition, and developed into swimming larvae within 64 h, which began to settle after 24 h. Larval survival after three mo of culture was 1.72 ± 1.0% and juvenile diameter ranged from 0.33 to 1.30 mm. Asexual buds were first observed in 15 mo old juveniles that were at least 8 mm in diameter. 24 mo old juveniles were observed to detach from their stalk and the empty stalk regenerated polyps. Our results highlight the latitudinal variability in the reproductive traits of solitary corals, serve as a baseline for their early life history, and advance our understanding of their population dynamics.
- Submerged reef features in Apo and Tubbataha Reefs, Philippines, revealed paleo sea-level history during the last deglaciationMunar, Jeffrey C.; Aurelio, Mario A.; Dumalagan, Edwin E.; Tinacba, Erin Joy C.; Doctor, Ma. Angelique A.; Siringan, Fernando P. (Springer, 2024-02-27)The morphology of coral reefs provides an effective benchmark of past sea levels because of their limited vertical range of formation and good geologic preservation. In this study, we analyze the seafloor morphology around two atolls in the Philippines: Tubbataha Reef, in Palawan, and Apo Reef, in Occidental Mindoro. High-resolution multibeam bathymetry to a depth of 200 m reveals seafloor features including reef ridges and staircase-like terraces and scarps. Depth profiles across the reefs show terraces formed within six and seven depth ranges in Tubbataha Reef and in Apo Reef, respectively. These were further observed through a remotely operated vehicle. The terraces and scarps are interpreted as backstepping reefs that were drowned during an overall rise in sea level from the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Terraces are used as indicators of paleo sea level and the separation between terraces as the magnitude of sea-level rises coeval with meltwater pulse events during the last deglaciation. The pattern for both Apo and Tubbataha reefs indicates subsidence, consistent with the absence of Holocene emergent features and their atoll morphologies. Subsidence of up to 17 m since the LGM in Apo Reef is mainly attributed to the downbowing of the crust toward Manila Trench. In Tubbataha Reef, subsidence of up to 14 m is attributed to the continuous cooling of the volcanic crust underlying the atoll. These can be used to fill gaps in the tectonic history of the study sites from the last deglaciation.This study was funded by the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research Development (DOST-PCARRD) Geophysical Coral Mapping Project and Acquisition of Detailed Bathymetry for Coastal Erosion Management Project both under F. P. Siringan, and National Assessment of Coral Reef Environment (NACRE) Project under Hazel Arceo. We would like to mention, in particular, Dominic Jone Cabactulan, Timothy Quimpo, Ronald Olavides, Mary Ann Calleja, Patrick Cabaitan, and Cesar Villanoy who were members of the project team. We thank the Tubbataha Management Office, Sablayan Local Government Unit, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the work permits and logistical help during the surveys.
- BFAR staff gain practical skills in milkfish aquaculture at SEAFDEC(Panay News, Inc., 2025-04-15)Another batch of personnel from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) trained at SEAFDEC/AQD on milkfish aquaculture from March 17 to 28, 2025 as part of the Philippines’ push to boost local production. The 12-day program gathered 14 personnel from various BFAR offices and facilities, including the Central Office and regional offices from Regions 3 (Central Luzon), 10 (Northern Mindanao), 11 (Davao), 12 (Soccsksargen), and 13 (Caraga). At the opening program, BFAR-3 Director Wilfredo Cruz emphasized the importance of a skilled workforce to support the National Bangus Development Program (NBDP) of the Philippines. “With this training, I hope we can reach our target and make the country self-sufficient in fry production,” he told the trainees.
- Multi-scale coral reef and seascape habitat variables combine to influence reef fish assemblagesSievers, Katie T.; McClure, Eva C.; Abesamis, Rene A.; Russ, Garry R. (MDPI, 2024-04-15)While benthic characteristics of coral reef habitats are a major driver of the structure of coral reef fish assemblages, non-reef habitats adjacent to coral reefs (e.g., mangroves, seagrass beds, and macroalgal beds) can affect reef fish assemblages. Here, we investigate how reef fish assemblages respond to local-scale benthic habitats within a coral reef and larger-scale adjacent seascape features (habitats within 500 m of coral reefs) on Siquijor Island in the Philippines. We examined an abundance of species for the entire reef fish assemblage and within the assemblages of parrotfishes (subfamily Scarinae) and wrasses (family Labridae). Five distinct habitat types were identified in a cluster analysis, which incorporated benthic characteristics within coral reefs and habitats adjacent to coral reefs. We found that the diversity and structure of coral reef fish assemblages were affected by benthic characteristics within coral reefs and also by benthic habitat types adjacent to coral reefs. Individual species responses and juveniles of certain species demonstrated uniquely high abundances in habitat clusters characterized by the non-reef habitats surrounding coral reefs. Considering coral reef habitats and adjacent non-reef habitats as a holistic, interconnected seascape will provide better estimations of the drivers of the structures of coral reef fish assemblages.This work would not have been possible without the invaluable contributions of the late Angel Alcala. His groundbreaking work paved the way for research in the Philippines, and his lifelong dedication to exploring and protecting the natural ecosystems of his country granted us access to crucial research sites. He also provided essential logistical and administrative support, significantly enhancing the feasibility of this project.
- Reproductive consequences of thermal stress-induced bleaching in the giant clam Tridacna croceaSayco, Sherry Lyn G.; Alabort Pomares, Ana; Cabaitan, Patrick C.; Kurihara, Haruko (Elsevier, 2024-01)Reproduction is a fundamental process necessary for maintaining a population. However, reproductive processes are sensitive to thermal stress which can cause bleaching in reef organisms such as corals and giant clams. Here we examined the phototrophic and physiological performances, particularly the reproductive processes, in Tridacna crocea during bleaching and recovery periods. Giant clam individuals were induced to bleach at heated treatment (32-33 °C) for 16 days and allowed to recover at 28-29 °C for 35 days. The control giant clams were kept at 28-29 °C. Heated giant clams showed lower phototrophic performances (Fv/Fm and photosynthesis), but their respiration and survival were similar to control giant clams. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) was lower, and the proportion of regressive eggs (i.e., eggs that are no longer viable) was higher in heated than in control giant clams. However, heated giant clams were able to maintain their egg size. In addition, T. crocea showed recovery of phototrophic potential and color of mantle but not of their reproductive output after a month of recovery. Our results indicate that bleaching reduces the reproductive output in giant clams by disrupting their gametogenesis, such as through egg resorption, but giant clams showed potential reproductive strategy, through maintenance of their egg size, to ensure the quality of their offspring. Furthermore, one month of recovery is not sufficient to restore the normal reproductive processes in T. crocea, which may delay their population recovery after a bleaching disturbance.